English abstract
Beginning in March 2009, an outbreak of influenza in North America was found to be caused by a new strain of influenza virus, designated Influenza A (H1N1) 2009, which is a reassortant of swine, avian and human influenza viruses. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 to be a pandemic predicting that a third of the world's population would eventually be infected. In order to come to grips with such a dire situation, vaccines are being tried in various parts of the world. This article highlights the pros and cons of using vaccine for a disease that is akin to seasonal influenza. Pregnant women, children and teens are the high risk groups who are susceptible to the clinical complications due to infection with H1N1. Such complications include death so these groups should be vaccinated no matter what.7 Other groups, however, may have some leeway to decide on vaccination or refuse it. Individuals who had a documented case of H1N1 during the 2008- 2009 influenza season have probably acquired partial immunity. But if the current strain changes between now and December, people could be highly susceptible to contracting the new virus without any immunity. Despite the decline in the pandemic, those at risk should be vaccinated in case there is a second wave of infection. Overall, development of antiviral vaccination has long been recognised as the most cost efficient use of public money in the entire health field, both in saving lives and for economic impact.
