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Vaxigrip – Get influenza vaccine to protect yourself from flu, Influenza A and Influenza B virus
Influenza A virus subtype H1N1, which is also known as A(H1N1) is a subtype of influenza virus A and the most common cause of influenza (flu) in humans. Recently, the new influenza variation H1N1 has managed to spread to many countries around the world. Although it is not as severe as SARS many years back, it still has the potential to become a pandemic if not contained properly.
For working people and travellers, it is quite impossible to be in isolation and away from other humans. So the next
best thing to do is protect yourself. How? These are the few things when followed, will improve your body’s defence against influenza virus:
- Get influenza vaccine injection to protect yourself from influenza virus.
- Wear face mask when being in public and among crowd.
- Eat Multivitamin and Vitamin C tablets daily as per recommended dosage.
- Try to get nutrients from natural sources such as fruits and vegetables, e.g. oranges, tomatoes, carrots. Best if juiced or made into smoothie.
The most important is getting influenza vaccine injection. This vaccine is a type of medication that is used to prevent influenza (flu). Influenza is a common viral illness caused by 2 types of virus; influenza A and influenza B.
I went to a local clinic in Kuala Lumpur and asked for influenza vaccination. The doctor injected me with Vaxigrip, a brand of influenza vaccine. I was told that the influenza vaccination effect can last about a year. That means I should be more protected than those without influenza vaccination. I have to do it as I will be travelling to 5 countries within the next one year.

This influenza vaccine increases a person’s defenses against the influenza virus. It works by introducing very small amounts of viral components into the body. These components are enough to stimulate the production of antibodies (cells designed to attack that particular virus), which will remain in the body and ready to attack that same influenza virus in the future.
And I feel it’s better to be protected than to find cure. So paying RM100 per influenza injection gives me more chance of surviving influenza virus attack.. and it’s worth the money paid.
| Print article | This entry was posted by Prajish Sankar on May 21, 2009 at 1:59 am, and is filed under Health and Fitness. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
June 11th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
prajish, just so you know..the Vaxigrip does NOT protect you from the H1N1 virus. The closest vaccine that can and will, is called TamiFlu but you will not get this in clinics unless you’re infected with the virus.
Having said that, Vaxigrip is worth an injection.
June 29th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
“VAXIGRIP will protect you or your child againts influenza infection from about 2 to 3 weeks after the injection” – does that means after 2-3 weeks only then the vaccine work or does that mean only protect us 2-3 weeks
June 30th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Hi Prem,
Vaxigrip ia a generic vaccine for Influenza A and B virus.
Since it is available from clinics, it’s worth getting the basic protection. H1N1 is a new variation and it needs a better vaccine. Like you said, the specific vaccine for H1N1 will only be given if you are infected.
June 30th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Jake,
The statement you mentioned should mean that the protection effect will start from 2-3 weeks after getting the injection. According to the doctor who injected me with the vaccine, the protection should last up to a maximum of 1 year.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
the use of face masks and boosting your immune system by taking lots of vitamin-C is still an effective way of preventing the spread of the any type of Flu virus. From Avian Flu, Swine Flu and the common Flu.
August 25th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Genetic re assortment of the viruses has resulted for the origin of the new virus which has the properties of influenza A virus and hence called so.
Antigenic shifts results in epidemics every year.
So every year we need to take vaccines.
Once injected it takes 2-3 weeks for the immunity to last which is permanent.
as the new virus arrives every year protection is only for an year, isn’t it?
Vaxigrip and Influvac’s work on the same principles. These are not produced just like that, as per the virus status and structure released by WHO these are manufactured and allowed to be marketed. As these ones contain the same viral antigens to an extent may give partial protection against Swine flu. Which has to be confirmed with the tests. Till then atleast something is better than nothing against Influ A. Go take the vaccine…