2010 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine available

We now have stock of the 2010 Influenza vaccine available for all patients not just the subsidised supply for at-risk groups.

Risks of serious illness for pregnant women contracting Swine Flu

A study published this week in the BMJ looked at women admitted to intensive care in Australia with H1N1 influenza (Swine Flu). They found that pregnant women were 7 times more likely to be admitted than non-pregnant women. This rises to a 13-fold increase in the second half of pregnancy. On a positive note this raised morbidity/mortality is less than was predicted from previous flu pandemics probably because governments have encouraged pregnant women to have the Swine Flu vaccine and made antiviral agents easily available. The seasonal influenza vaccine (which this year includes the H1N1 strain) is recommended by the department of health for all women who will be in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of their pregnancy during the flu season.

Government-funded 2010 Flu vaccine in stock

The government-funded 2010 flu vaccine, which includes the H1N1 swine flu as well as 2 other common strains, has arrived. This is currently available free for certain at-risk groups - those over 65, and with chronic disease such as diabetes, heart disease and chest problems such as asthma. We are expecting supplies shortly for patients not in any at-risk group.

An Aspirin a day doesn't keep the doctor away

Many people take a low dose of aspirin each day to thin the blood and ward off heart attacks and strokes. Recently a number of studies, including one published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association have shown no benefit, and some risk (of bleeding problems), of taking aspirin in people who don't already have heart disease or strokes. If you are already taking aspirin for this reason we would suggest discussing further with your GP.