H1N1 vaccines now available in stores

BANGALORE: Finally, H1N1 flu vaccines will be widely available across Karnataka. State drug controller Dr B R Jag Shetty told TOI on Wednesday: "It's been two days now that vaccines are available in the state. It's a multidose vaccine with ten dose vials each. Since it's usually purchased by doctors, it's directly supplied by wholesalers. Some retail pharmacies have also purchased these vaccines and selling them too.Tamiflu drugs are available in most Schedule X pharmacies in the state."
He added: "Unlike vaccines provided for health workers and officials, these are not imported vaccines. These are indigenous vaccines manufactured by Zydus Cadilla. Since it's a multi-dose vial, it's preferred by medical practitioners."
Till date, 171 people have succumbed to the flu in Karnataka. If precautionary measures are not taken, more people could become victims. With the onset of monsoon and low temperature, the virus spreads faster.
Dr Vasudeva Murthy, deputy director, State Surveillance Unit (SSU), cautions that the H1N1 flu virus is likely to be more virulent as recent flu deaths unlike previous cases had no co-morbid condition like bilateral pneumonia or other respiratory complications.
"There are sporadic H1N1 flu cases and more prominent in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, mainly because there is a higher floating population in these regions. Secondly, the flu spreads faster in close-knit communities," Dr Murthy said.
The Union health and family welfare ministry supplied 1.5 lakh imported flu vaccine doses for vaccinating health workers and doctors. So far, 75,000 doses have covered them. With the recent central notification, even anganwadi and Assisted Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers will be covered under the government vaccination drive to protect those who work closely with infected patients.
Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) director Dr Shashidhar Buggi said: "In the past six months, we've had 400 suspected H1N1 flu cases, of which 38 were positive. But for one death, we have been able to treat the remaining positive cases successfully. With early detection and timely treatment, we can control the flu."
However, homoeopathy expert Dr B T Rudresh says: "Those with low immunity have high potential of being affected with the viral flu. Globally, Arsenic Alb 200 is recommended as a preventive medicine. Those with symptoms should consult doctors immediately. Especially those prone to cold, cough and lung infections should take additional precautions. Since anxiety or fear can also lower the immunity, people need to address the issue positively."
Dr V Ravi, head of department of virology, Nimhans, said: "We regularly receive 15 to 20 suspected cases per month and at the Nimhans laboratory we can test 150 samples at a time."
Symptoms
Sore throat
Cold and cough
High temperature for more than 48 hrs
High pulse rate
Precautions/ Prevention
Wash hand frequently
Avoid close contact with infected person
Cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing
Avoid crowds or public gatherings
Avoid cold or refrigerated food
Controlling cold and cough in monsoon
Drink clean warm water
Eat hot food
Avoid junk and cold drinks
H1N1 case status
Suspected 11,228
Positive 2,275
Deaths 171
Facilities available
* Three laboratories for testing samples
Nimhans
KIMS, Manipal
Narayana Nethralaya
* Tamiflu available in most Schedule X pharmacies
* Multi-dose vaccine available
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com