AROUND 3,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been released from the Department of Health's stockpile to address the impending shortage of the flu vaccine.
The H1N1 vaccine, Pandemrix, was stockpiled by the Department of Health last year in response to the the 2009 influenza pandemic.
Pandemrix provides protection against the H1N1 virus which is the commonest strain of the flu virus in circulation.
It does not provide protection against flu type B or flu A H3N2 – but in general these are milder diseases.
This vaccine is particularly appropriate for pregnant women since their increased risk of complication is confined to the H1N1 virus. According to the department there is evidence that antenatal vaccination with this provides protection for the newborn.
Pandemrix will also be offered as protection to frontline healthcare workers who may need to care for patients with flu-like illness.
The seasonal flu vaccine will continue to be available to those aged 65 and over and those in 'high risk' groups. If there is a temporary shortage of seasonal flu vaccine Pandemrix will be used for these people as well.
