Swine flu vaccination

The Count of Tuscany · Oct 29th, 2009, 20:19

Hello everybody,

my name is Stefan and I am new here (although I have been reading through the posts for a few days...;-))Seems to be an extraordinary forum!

I have got an important issue:
I am going to India for three months (depature is tomorrow). I will be located 1 month in Pune and 2 months in Chennai.

Unfortunately, I heard a lot of rumours about swine flu especially in Pune. The vaccination is available in Germany since this week and I am thinking about taking a shot today or tomorrow. But I am struggling about the severe side effects, especially since I depart tomorrow already.

What is your opinion about that? Would you recommend me the vaccination or is situation in Pune and the rest of India not as bad as reported?

Best regards from Germany,
Stefan

Haylo · Oct 30th, 2009, 02:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Count of Tuscany

I am struggling about the severe side effects, especially since I depart tomorrow already.

Could you give more details of these severe side effects?

There are side effects from seasonal flu vaccinations which can very occasionally be severe, but normally the side effects are very mild, and even the mild side effects only occur in 10% of people.

I expected the side effects of the swine flu vaccination to be broadly in line with this, and if they were, I certainly would not be concerned.

One thing you may wish to consider is that if, as does rarely happen, the vaccination gives you a slight temperature, you may get picked out by the swine flu screening. A letter from your doctor saying you have been vaccinated may help with this.

federica · Oct 30th, 2009, 05:47

There's a lot of confusion about the swine flu vaccination in Germany these days. The vaccine ordered for "ordinary" people contents intensifiers (not sure whether this is the correct English word) and they are supposed to increase the side affects. (Others say they are totally harmless, though

)

In general I wouldn't take a vaccination on the same day when I'm travelling, mostly your immune system takes around one week to develop antibodies, so for me it sounds like extra stress on the body. And stress is harmful to your immune system

There are so many people in Germany now who had/have swine flu, I guess more than in India so far, and maybe you've been already in contact with some in the last months without knowing.

Stefan, all this is just my personal opinion and I am no doctor, so it's like asking anybody around the corner

edwardseco · Oct 30th, 2009, 13:13

So far its just rumors about the intensifiers..

edwardseco · Nov 1st, 2009, 06:51

Adjuvents is the technical term..

federica · Nov 1st, 2009, 18:57

Thanks

but isn't it adjuvants

?

Nick-H · Nov 1st, 2009, 19:02

Adjutants?

federica · Nov 1st, 2009, 19:11

Guess they wouldn't fit into the syringe

edwardseco · Nov 3rd, 2009, 05:58

Wonder where my boy gets his attrocious spelling.?

skk · Nov 3rd, 2009, 07:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Count of Tuscany

...
I have got an important issue:
I am going to India for three months (depature is tomorrow). I will be located 1 month in Pune and 2 months in Chennai.

Unfortunately, I heard a lot of rumours about swine flu especially in Pune. The vaccination is available in Germany since this week and I am thinking about taking a shot today or tomorrow. But I am struggling about the severe side effects, especially since I depart tomorrow already.

What is your opinion about that? Would you recommend me the vaccination or is situation in Pune and the rest of India not as bad as reported?

Best regards from Germany,
Stefan

Just ignore the peanut gallery man - in the general scope of things swine flu (H1N1 ) is wayyy overhyped; specifically to Pune, they closed schools for a little while a little while ago - but the panic has subsided; a measure of that could be that instead of being inwardly focused, they may now be outwardly focused, illustrated by this data point - my sis called me saying "We hear that Obama has declared a state of emergency so you'd better go and get your vaccinations"

She was right, Obama did indeed declare an emergency ( which is a technical term and to do with release of funding etc ).

How old are you ? if you are in the 20-40 year bracket the current data shows that the mortality rate is higher.

I'm no medic - Only you can decide whether to get vaccinated or not. FWIW, I have and I'm 56, not in the higher risk bracket.

Good luck in Pune - I know quite a bit about it and comfortable talking about it - there are forums about Pune, you no doubt know - probably better to chat there.

-skk

The Count of Tuscany · Nov 6th, 2009, 02:05

Namaste!

Sorry for the delayed answer, I am here in Pune since Sunday and had very limited internet access.
Just to give you a short report on side effects of the vaccination:

I got the H1N1 vaccanation last week's Thursday and felt allright this day. Unfortunately, on the next morning I felt like being sick with slighty heightened temperature. The whole day I really was not feeling healthy and was afraid of the long flight.

Luckily, in the evening everything was fine and I arrived at Mumbai Airport feeling great. I had no problems anymore since that.

Putting everything into consideration, I think I have chosen the right decision, since I don't need to run with the subliminal feeling of getting the swine flu through the streets of Pune.

Btw, India and especially Pune are extraordinary! My expectations have been exceeded by far. I am sure I am gonna to enjoy my one month stay at University Pune and the following two months in Chennai!

@skk: I am 23.

Best regards

Nick-H · Nov 6th, 2009, 02:26

Thanks for the feedback. Enjoy your trip

federica · Nov 6th, 2009, 04:02

Good that you felt healthy soon

Have a nice time in India!

Golden Chapati · Nov 6th, 2009, 04:38

Hi Nick,

Do you know if they are screening in New Delhi? I recently flew back and saw noting of the sort, either in Delhi, Dubai or Heathrow. I just get worried, I'll leave by time they issue the vaccinations here in the UK and I generally get a short cold like illness on long haul flights; basically I wouldn't want to get rammed in with a load of flu sufferers for a week. Any ideas?

Nick-H · Nov 6th, 2009, 14:56

No, sorry; I am quite a long way away from Delhi. In fact I haven't travelled internationally at all since June.

I did notice an outbreak of swine-flu media attention again recently, so I don't think it has gone away yet.

They are more specific about the symptoms than just cold-like stuff: I don't think a runny nose will get you quarantined!

Oct 29th, 2009, 20:19	#1
The Count of Tuscany Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 4	Swine flu vaccination Hello everybody, my name is Stefan and I am new here (although I have been reading through the posts for a few days...;-))Seems to be an extraordinary forum! I have got an important issue: I am going to India for three months (depature is tomorrow). I will be located 1 month in Pune and 2 months in Chennai. Unfortunately, I heard a lot of rumours about swine flu especially in Pune. The vaccination is available in Germany since this week and I am thinking about taking a shot today or tomorrow. But I am struggling about the severe side effects, especially since I depart tomorrow already. What is your opinion about that? Would you recommend me the vaccination or is situation in Pune and the rest of India not as bad as reported? Best regards from Germany, Stefan

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Oct 30th, 2009, 05:47	#3
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 1,774	There's a lot of confusion about the swine flu vaccination in Germany these days. The vaccine ordered for "ordinary" people contents intensifiers (not sure whether this is the correct English word) and they are supposed to increase the side affects. (Others say they are totally harmless, though ) In general I wouldn't take a vaccination on the same day when I'm travelling, mostly your immune system takes around one week to develop antibodies, so for me it sounds like extra stress on the body. And stress is harmful to your immune system There are so many people in Germany now who had/have swine flu, I guess more than in India so far, and maybe you've been already in contact with some in the last months without knowing. Stefan, all this is just my personal opinion and I am no doctor, so it's like asking anybody around the corner

Oct 30th, 2009, 13:13	#4
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	So far its just rumors about the intensifiers..

Nov 1st, 2009, 06:51	#5
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	Adjuvents is the technical term..

Nov 1st, 2009, 18:57	#6
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 1,774	Thanks but isn't it adjuvants ?

Nov 1st, 2009, 19:02	#7
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,216	Adjutants?

Nov 1st, 2009, 19:11	#8
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 1,774	Guess they wouldn't fit into the syringe

Nov 3rd, 2009, 05:58	#9
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	Wonder where my boy gets his attrocious spelling.?

Nov 6th, 2009, 02:05	#11
The Count of Tuscany Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 4	Namaste! Sorry for the delayed answer, I am here in Pune since Sunday and had very limited internet access. Just to give you a short report on side effects of the vaccination: I got the H1N1 vaccanation last week's Thursday and felt allright this day. Unfortunately, on the next morning I felt like being sick with slighty heightened temperature. The whole day I really was not feeling healthy and was afraid of the long flight. Luckily, in the evening everything was fine and I arrived at Mumbai Airport feeling great. I had no problems anymore since that. Putting everything into consideration, I think I have chosen the right decision, since I don't need to run with the subliminal feeling of getting the swine flu through the streets of Pune. Btw, India and especially Pune are extraordinary! My expectations have been exceeded by far. I am sure I am gonna to enjoy my one month stay at University Pune and the following two months in Chennai! @skk: I am 23. Best regards

Nov 6th, 2009, 02:26	#12
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,216	Thanks for the feedback. Enjoy your trip

Nov 6th, 2009, 04:02	#13
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 1,774	Good that you felt healthy soon Have a nice time in India!

Nov 6th, 2009, 04:38	#14
Golden Chapati Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Posts: 53	Hi Nick, Do you know if they are screening in New Delhi? I recently flew back and saw noting of the sort, either in Delhi, Dubai or Heathrow. I just get worried, I'll leave by time they issue the vaccinations here in the UK and I generally get a short cold like illness on long haul flights; basically I wouldn't want to get rammed in with a load of flu sufferers for a week. Any ideas?

Nov 6th, 2009, 14:56	#15
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,216	No, sorry; I am quite a long way away from Delhi. In fact I haven't travelled internationally at all since June. I did notice an outbreak of swine-flu media attention again recently, so I don't think it has gone away yet. They are more specific about the symptoms than just cold-like stuff: I don't think a runny nose will get you quarantined!