UNDERSTANDING INFLUENZA Influenza, or the common 'flu' is basically an illness that is caused by the RNA viruses, which infect the respiratory tract of animals, birds and human beings. An episode of influenza is usually marked by an amalgamation of symptoms, primarily including fever, cough, headache and excessive fatigue. In addition, in some cases, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea might also occur. These symptoms usually last for up to two weeks or less and the patient recovers with no problems.
The swine influenza is basically an infection caused by one of the many types of the swine influenza viruses. As per the latest studies, the swine influenza virus strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A, which are H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2 and H2N3. Basically, the swine flu is a respiratory disease of the pigs, caused by the influenza viruses and was originally isolated in 1930. In pigs, this particular disease is caused by the influenza type A and usually does not cause many deaths, though the disease causes illness in a large number of pigs, usually in the months of fall and winter in a year.
HISTORY OF VACCINES Research reveals an earlier instance of the development of the swine flu vaccine, in an attempt to control the spread of the disease. This particular vaccine was reportedly developed in order to tackle the 1976 flu outbreak, found in Fort Dix, New Jersey. Since the fear of another catastrophe like the 1918 Spanish Flu loomed large, a rampant vaccination program was started to immunize the masses against the flu. This fear emerged from the research reports that indicated that the swine flu strain found in this outbreak was similar to that of the 1918 Spanish Flu. Under the vaccination campaign, more than 40 million people in the United States were immunized between October 1976 to December 1976. However, later the immunization campaign was discontinued, as the swine flu pandemic actually didn't occur. In fact, the vaccination itself was being perceived to be causing a series of side effects, such as the Guillain-Barre Syndrome. 2009 INFLUENZA A (H1N1) MONOVALENT VACCINES The US Food and Drug Administration approved a series of four vaccines by changing a strain to each of the manufacturer's existing seasonal influenza vaccine. The strong experience these companies have in developing and manufacturing the seasonal influenza vaccine is reflected in the successful record of accomplishment of safety and effectiveness in the United States. These vaccinations are generally available in two different forms, including the a) Injectable vaccines and the b) Intranasal vaccine. The four vaccinations approved by the FDA include: * Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine - CSL Limited * Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine - ID Biochemical Corporation of Quebec * Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine - Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited * Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine - Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. * Meanwhile, the Intranasal Vaccine, which is the Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine is being manufactured by the MedImmune LLC.
In fact, the confirmation of the first batch of vaccine for the purpose of pre-clinical evaluation and testing came just a day after the World Health Organization declared the H1N1 virus as a pandemic on June 11, 2009. The batch was manufactured by the Swiss pharmaceuticals company, Novartis, at a plant in Marburg, Germany . According to Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs Administration, "The vaccine will help protect individuals from serious illness and death from influenza", stating that this approval is good news for the nation's response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. According to a news release dated November 16, 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration announced its approval for an additional fifth vaccine to guard against the 2009 H1N1 influenza, manufactured by the ID Biomedical Corp. of Quebec, Canada, owned by GlaxoSmithKline PLC.
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