Toddlers must wait 15 days for H1N1 vaccine

Updated on: 09 August,2010 07:27 AM IST |
Vivek Sabnis |

AT LEAST two lakh H1N1 vaccine doses are needed in the city to cater to children below three years. But there is going to be a wait of about 15 days before the vaccine hits stores

AT LEAST two lakh H1N1 vaccine doses are needed in the city to cater to children below three years. But there is going to be a wait of about 15 days before the vaccine hits stores.

Dr Ram Dhongade, paediatrician and director of Shaishav Children Hospital, said the vaccine developed by Panacea Biotech Ltd would be made available in the next 15 days.

Serum Institute has provided swine flu vaccine for children above three years. These vaccines can be used by anyone up to the age of 60.

Dhongade said parents were panicking over the need for a vaccine for newborns, owing to the increasing number of H1N1 deaths. "We need at least two lakh doses in the city to cater to the present emergency," Dhongade added.

The efficacy of the vaccine for babies was tested by Dhongade and his team in the city in May this year. Human trials were conducted on 300 children at his clinic.

Dr Sharad Agarkhedkar, President IMA, Pune, said, "People are concerned because as of now there is no
vaccine that can be given to children below three years. We can only provide Tami flu in diluted form to children who show H1N1 symptoms."

Aishwarya Damle (24), mother of a three-month-old said, "Both my husband and I have taken the swine flu vaccine and are now waiting to get our daughter vaccinated."
Dr Shishir Modak, President Indian Academic Paediatrician, said that other vaccines from Lupin, Sanofi Pasteure and Serum Institute would also hit the market soon.