Discuss 'swine' (now H1N1) vaccine production specifically?

[Ophelia]

Is there already a thread? I didn't see one. I'd like to discuss the current and upcoming vaccine production that is now in the works. Does anyone have any idea how this would even be tested, especially for the human trials?

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by Ophelia

Is there already a thread? I didn't see one. I'd like to discuss the current and upcoming vaccine production that is now in the works. Does anyone have any idea how this would even be tested, especially for the human trials?

It won't be adequately tested, just like it wasn't in 1976. The test will be to see how many people become ill or die from the vaccine once it becomes avaliable

[sarahwpen]

from what i have read, they are just pushing tamiflu. I am betting that there never will be a "vaccine" other than that one. mainly because the whole point of this engineered virus is to use up the about-to-expire stockpiles of tamiflu that all the gov's bought during the "asian-bird-flu" scare that never materialized. This flu is not much different, so if it holds out long enough to actually use those up it will be a wonder, but for it to materialize into enough of a threat for them to actually develop and distribute another vaccine tested or not seems very far fetched to me.

[luminesce]

Originally Posted by sarahwpen

from what i have read, they are just pushing tamiflu. I am betting that there never will be a "vaccine" other than that one. mainly because the whole point of this engineered virus is to use up the about-to-expire stockpiles of tamiflu that all the gov's bought during the "asian-bird-flu" scare that never materialized. This flu is not much different, so if it holds out long enough to actually use those up it will be a wonder, but for it to materialize into enough of a threat for them to actually develop and distribute another vaccine tested or not seems very far fetched to me.

No, a vaccine is not far fetched. It is now in the works. They are just trying to decide how to balance it with regular flu season vaccine.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...jv3EAD97TKI1O0

As skeptical I am of the safety of vaccinations; I think I'm glad they are considering this. If we did end up in a situation like 1918, even a terrible vaccination with terrible side effects might be better than the disease. (When you read about people dying in a matter of hours with hemorrhaging from mucous membranes, cyanosis, severe edema, atypical pneumonia, etc...)

The only fear I have with pandemic vaccination, is the concept of mandatory compliance; this is a theoretical fear though because ethical resistance and the inability to produce enough vaccine for everyone would likely preclude it from becoming mandatory. In fact, if this flu turned out to be like the 1918 flu, I think the demand for the vaccine would probably exceed the supply.

Personally, I think the idea that this virus is engineered and designed to use up stockpiled tamiflu is far fetched. When Dr. Chan's announced the raise from level from 4 to 5, she answered a question regarding existing stock. They stated that they have already used 1.5 million doses of the 5 million doses of tamiflu stockpiled (for avian influenza) and are certain they do not have enough. Thus, pharmaceutical companies are ramping up production of more.

I do believe the health organizations are trying to do what they think is right. I think the initial reaction to Mexico's alert was slow (eight days) but then again, I also don't know the details.