The Swine flu Vaccine (Panvax), manufactured by CSL will be in GP Surgeries from the 30th of September. However the vaccine, which is provided for free by the Government, will only be available to priority groups initially.

The priority/target groups include;
*Pregnant women
*Children >10 years and Adults with chronic underlying conditions such as: 
      - Chronic respiratory conditions – asthma
      - Immuno-suppressed persons – including HIV/AIDS Infection
      - Cancer – malignant cancers
      - Diabetes Mellitus
      - Cardiac disease – not including hypertension
      - Chronic renal disease
      - Chronic metabolic diseases
      - Hemoglobinopathy’s 
      - Chronic neurological diseases

*Parents and guardians of children aged 0 to 6 months
*Individuals with moderate to severe obesity – BMI >35
*Health care and community workers
*Indigenous people and remote isolated communities with vunerable people
*Children > 10 years in special schools (vaccination of children 9 years and under will commence once safety data in this age group is available)

According to the Department of Health and Ageing; “Both H1N1 influenza 09 and normal seasonal influenza can produce symptoms of fever, chills, cough, sore throat, tiredness and muscle aches and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea. Severe cases of influenza can result in breathing difficulty and pneumonia. Symptoms generally appear between two to four days after exposure. If you develop these symptoms you should stay home until your symptoms are gone”.

The Panvax vaccine has been shown to be effective in those aged > 10 years and a single dose of 0.5mls is required. The vaccine will come in multi-dose vials and therefore many GP surgeries will more than likely have “Flu vaccine clinics” to streamline the administration of Panvax. Hence you should check with your Healthcare provider (GP) what their protocol would be for the administration of this vaccine.

The side effects of the vaccine are similar to those of the annual influenza vaccine, with 46% of recipients having mild redness and swelling at the injection site, and or  mild to moderate symptoms including headache, malaise and myalgia.

The vaccine is contra-indicated in those persons who have:
· A severe allergy to eggs
· Anaphylaxis following any vaccine component
· Anaphylaxis following a previous dose of any influenza vaccine

The Product Information for this vaccine can be found at http://www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/resources/pdf/h1n1_vaccine_product_information.pdf

If you have any further questions on this product you should discuss this with your doctor.