Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine Now Available

[Pathfinder]

Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine Now Available
by Barbados GIS

Posted: Jan 25, 2010 13:59 UTC

BRIDGETOWN (BGIS) - The Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine is here.
Twenty thousand doses of the Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine Panenza, procured through a purchasing arrangement with the Pan-American Health Organization, were received by the Health Ministry this week.

This was stated today by Minister of Health, Donville Inniss at a press conference at the Ministry's Jemmotts Lane Headquarters. He noted that the vaccine, which was received on January 20, would be offered to certain groups.

Mr. Inniss said: "In an effort to ensure the best use of this limited quantity, this vaccine will be offered to certain groups of persons, whose selection was based on epidemiological evidence to ensure the greatest benefits to our country".

He added that over the next four weeks a campaign would be launched to ensure that persons designated with priority status are able to access the vaccine.

The groups to be targeted will comprise individuals whose medical condition has placed them at higher risk for influenza-related complications. These include pregnant women, persons with diabetes, heart disease, sickle cell anaemia or lung conditions such as asthma; people with conditions which weaken the immune system and those who are morbidly obese.

Healthcare workers in both the public and private sectors; frontline staff of the air and seaports, members of the Royal Barbados Police Force, the Barbados Defence Force and the Barbados Fire Service, will also be given the vaccine.

Meanwhile, the Health Minister disclosed that recent surveillance data (Monday of this week) had confirmed that one more Barbadian, who fell into one of the high risk categories, had been hospitalised because of the Influenza A virus.

While noting that the individual had now been discharged after responding well to treatment, he urged all persons within the target groups "to come forward and take advantage of the opportunity to obtain the vaccine."

The vaccine will be offered to health workers from next Monday, January 25 and other target groups from Monday February 1, at polyclinics. It will be administered by the Ministry's public health team.

In addition, private sector health care workers will be offered the vaccine at two other locations, The Elcourt Clinic at Maxwell in Christ Church and the FMH Emergency Clinic at Belleville, St. Michael. Health teams will also be visiting other selected sites to vaccinate identified persons.

jgill@barbados.gov.bb

http://news.caribseek.com/Barbados/article_84156.shtml

[Tonka]

Re: Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine Now Available

http://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=157234&Itemid=1

Barbados begins influenza vaccination and reports new case

Written by Yolaidy Martinez Ruiz
Monday, January 25th, 2010

January 25, 2010, 15:15Bridgetown, Jan 25 (Prensa Latina) Barbados today began vaccination against influenza A (H1N1) in the most vulnerable groups and reported a new case with the disease after nearly 10 weeks without registering infections.

As in other Caribbean states, this nation took to acquire the drug due to the fall of 50 per cent of world production.

According to Health Minister Donville Inniss, the country has 20 thousand doses of Panenza and will be administered to children, young, pregnant women, elderly and people with asthma, diabetes or other chronic condition that could weaken the immune system.

Sector workers, the airports and ports, as well as police personnel, fire departments and the armed forces also will receive the drug, available in all health care units in the country during the next four weeks.

Inniss also reported on a new pandemic in the nation, which remained without infections by the virus since last October.

The patient said the minister is in hospital and evolving favorably with established treatment for the disease.

With the reappearance of the virus, the officer asked the public to exercise extreme hygiene in homes, workplaces and schools.

Barbados recorded a total of 155 confirmed influenza cases and three deaths.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization estimated at over 14 thousand 142 deaths due to the global pandemic.

lac / ymr
Last Updated (Monday, January 25th, 2010)

[Pathfinder]

Re: Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine Now Available

More H1N1 shots

Published on: 3/13/2010.

IN AN EFFORT to have more people immunised with the Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine, the Ministry of Health has decided to give shots to anyone from one-year-old and up.

Since the vaccination campaign was started late January some 7 551 individuals, considered vulnerable to the disease, have been vaccinated.

Senior Medical Officer Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand who is responsible for coordinating the H1N1 campaign, said the figures represented "a fair response by the public that could be better."

She said that the Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection could pose life-threatening problems for pregnant women, individuals with diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and sickle cell anaemia, as well as for those with morbid obesity.

The health official stressed: "Persons with these conditions should get vaccinated and protect themselves. We still have the vaccine at our polyclinics and it is absolutely free of charge. Influenza A (H1N1) is still active in some parts of the world, like Northern Africa and Asia."

Twenty thousand doses of the Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine, Panenza was procured, through a purchasing arrangement with the Pan-American Health Organisation, by the Health Ministry, at the beginning of this year. (BGIS)

http://www.nationnews.com/news/local/at-risk-groups-get-H1N1-shots-copy-for-web