![]() ![]() The link between the vaccine and narcolepsy is not yet fully understood. In the months following the increase in uptake of the swine flu vaccine Pandemrix, several European countries reported an increase in cases of narcolepsy, a rare sleeping disorder. So when it re-emerged and was classified as pandemic in 2009, concern levels were understandably high and decisions were made to recommend the widespread use of the available anti-swine flu vaccine. So the first question in this instance is why do we need a vaccine to protect us against swine flu? The H1N1 influenza virus responsible for swine flu has caused two pandemics in recorded history, the first of which killed up to an estimated 100m people (3-5% of the world’s population) in the space of two years from 1918. This began when the now struck-off doctor, Andrew Wakefield, published research that was later shown to be false, but is still quoted by anti-vaccine campaigners today and has contributed to a resurgence in measles cases. Without this, we could see a repeat of the persistent myth that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is linked to autism. If you also consider the estimated global reduction in deaths of 6m a year that vaccination programmes have produced (see infographic below) it becomes clear why the vast majority of clinicians support their use. Healthcare-associated infections (those that are contracted through contact with the health system) alone are estimated to cost the NHS £1bn a year and GPs prescribe between £140m and £160m worth of antibiotics each year. However, this number is dwarfed by the costs to the NHS of treating infectious diseases. The UK government made estimated payments of £3.5m between 19 under its Vaccine Damage Payment scheme. Vaccines can occasionally have detrimental side-effects and compensating people for these isn’t new. This kind of story is often claimed as evidence by those who believe vaccination is a highly dangerous practice that should be stopped. A 12-year-old boy recently won £120,000 in compensation after developing a severely debilitating case of narcolepsy triggered by swine flu vaccination. ![]()
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