H1N1 flu vaccine is now available in Algeria

[kiwibird]

H1N1 flu vaccine is now available in Algeria
Font size: Decrease font Enlarge font
ennahar 27 December, 2009 01:44:00

ALGIERS- A total of 1,310,000 doses of anti-swine flu (A/H1N1) vaccine are currently available in Algeria, Minister of Health Sa?d Barkat said Thursday.

*
"We have taken delivery Wednesday of 631,000 doses of anti-swine flu vaccine, thus we have now 1,310,000 doses," the minister said during a meeting with the People?s National Assembly (Parliament)?s health, social affairs, labour and vocational training committee.
*
During this meeting, he recalled the main measures and plans taken by the ministry to prevent and fight against the disease spread, which killed 38 among 607 cases of confirmed swine flu in Algeria. Referring to theoretical estimates and approximate calculations established by the World Health Organization (WHO) based on national data, Barkat said that the H1N1 virus affects 100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, adding that 27.67% of diagnosed swine flu cases are kids.
*
He added that 118 students were affected by the flu through 17 provinces without causing death, including 38 cases in Algiers and 18 others in Tizi Ouzou, noting that 31 classes have been closed for a week.
*
Concerning the health of pilgrims, the Minister noted that 36,000 hajjis were vaccinated against seasonal influenza before their departure to the holy sites of Islam, stating that over 5,000 people, with presented flu symptoms were treated with the antiviral drug "Oseltamivir" more known as "Tamiflu".
*
He said that two cases of swine flu among pilgrims registered were treated.
*
About Oseltamivir, which is available free next week in the pharmacies for any person with a prescription, Barkat has confirmed the efficacy of this treatment, stressing that existing quantities can cover up to 7,500,000 people and this drug is also manufactured locally.
*

*
Ennaharonline/ APS

http://www.ennaharonline.com/en/news/2711.html

[Pathfinder]

Re: H1N1 flu vaccine is now available in Algeria

Many Algerians pass on H1N1 vaccine

2010-01-25

The belief that the H1N1 vaccine could have negative health consequences appears to be keeping large numbers of Algerians out of vaccination centres.

By Hayam El Hadi for Magharebia in Algiers ? 25/01/10
<TABLE width=50 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD> [Hayam El Hadi] Vaccination clinics in Algeria have had fewer visitors due to sceptical views of the H1N1 vaccine.



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Many Algerians are resisting the advice of the Health Ministry and are forgoing the H1N1 flu vaccine because of safety concerns.

"I feel that we don't have enough background information on this vaccine yet," Saida, a worker at a Baraki public health facility, told Magharebia on January 21st. "We don't know exactly what side-effects it can cause, or the long-term risks. I'm aware that as a healthcare worker, I'm on the front line as far as exposure is concerned."

"I'm doing what I can to protect myself, but there's no way I'll get vaccinated," she said.

The H1N1 strain has infected 889 Algerians and killed 57. Experts have forecast that the outbreak will reach a peak in February.

Only 1% of healthcare workers have been immunised, the prevention chief at the Ministry of Health, Ismail Mesbah, told reporters on January 12th. At the El Kettar referral centre in Algiers, only two doctors have been vaccinated against the virus. The government had hoped to immunise 300,000 healthcare workers and 850,000 pregnant women.

Public unease over the safety of the vaccine grew after the Algerian Pasteur Institute received the first few batches of the H1N1 vaccine in early December, and took so long to validate the shipment that a debate over the quality of the vaccines ensued. Reassurances from the Ministry of Health have failed to assuage the public's concerns.

"The vaccine is effective and has been recognised by the World Health Organisation, approved by Canadian health authorities and validated by the National Laboratory for the Control of Pharmaceuticals," said Minister of Health Said Barkat on December 30th.

To demonstrate his confidence in the vaccine and encourage others to be immunised, Dr. Barkat received the shot on camera.
Mohamed, a nurse in Algiers, is one Algerian has no qualms about getting vaccinated.

"All this bad publicity surrounding the vaccine is sheer manipulation," he told Magharebia on Thursday. "We need to put our faith in science and our health authorities. The government would not have allowed us to use bad vaccines."

But many Algerians seem to view the vaccine with distrust.

"There's no way that my wife, who's four months pregnant, will be vaccinated," Reda, an IT worker, told Magharebia in Algiers last week.

"The vaccine that Algeria has imported includes an adjuvant. I'm not a doctor, but I do research on the internet and everyone is saying that pregnant women shouldn't take these products," he said. "I don't trust the Ministry of Health. The government might be hiding things from us. I'm highly sceptical."

http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2010/01/25/feature-01