Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080417TDY02301.htm
Vaccinations for new flu strains eyed for public
The Yomiuri Shimbun
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry on Wednesday began a feasibility study on inoculating the general public with avian influenza vaccine to prepare for the possible outbreak of a new strain of pandemic flu, sources said.
Under the ministry's current plan, the vaccinations for 10 million people engaged in occupations maintaining social functions, such as police officers and those working for water and electric utilities, will start in fiscal 2009.
Hoping to eliminate concern over a possible epidemic, the ministry also will discuss whether to include the general public in the vaccination plan.
The ministry currently stockpiles sufficient avian flu vaccine concentrate solution for 20 million people and has already indicated that it would increase the amount of the stock.
However, expanding the vaccination to the public at large could cause social confusion over possible side-effects.
The ministry, therefore, will discuss the target population and timing of vaccinations, among other issues, after examining the safety of the inoculation, according to the sources.
Even people who have been vaccinated will likely develop symptoms in the event of an outbreak of a new type of influenza from any source, avian or otherwise.
Taking these factors into consideration, the ministry plans to inoculate 6,000 people who wished to receive flu vaccinations by the end of March next year. Falling into this category are doctors and quarantine officers who will most likely come into contact with patients.
The vaccination will be administered on a clinical test basis as a preemptive measure against the possible outbreak of a new type of flu.
If the vaccination proves to be effective, the ministry plans to expand the program to 10 million people in preparation for an epidemic.
Switzerland also is considering conducting a preemptive vaccination for the general public, but has yet to introduce it.
(Apr. 17, 2008)
Vaccinations for new flu strains eyed for public
The Yomiuri Shimbun
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry on Wednesday began a feasibility study on inoculating the general public with avian influenza vaccine to prepare for the possible outbreak of a new strain of pandemic flu, sources said.
Under the ministry's current plan, the vaccinations for 10 million people engaged in occupations maintaining social functions, such as police officers and those working for water and electric utilities, will start in fiscal 2009.
Hoping to eliminate concern over a possible epidemic, the ministry also will discuss whether to include the general public in the vaccination plan.
The ministry currently stockpiles sufficient avian flu vaccine concentrate solution for 20 million people and has already indicated that it would increase the amount of the stock.
However, expanding the vaccination to the public at large could cause social confusion over possible side-effects.
The ministry, therefore, will discuss the target population and timing of vaccinations, among other issues, after examining the safety of the inoculation, according to the sources.
Even people who have been vaccinated will likely develop symptoms in the event of an outbreak of a new type of influenza from any source, avian or otherwise.
Taking these factors into consideration, the ministry plans to inoculate 6,000 people who wished to receive flu vaccinations by the end of March next year. Falling into this category are doctors and quarantine officers who will most likely come into contact with patients.
The vaccination will be administered on a clinical test basis as a preemptive measure against the possible outbreak of a new type of flu.
If the vaccination proves to be effective, the ministry plans to expand the program to 10 million people in preparation for an epidemic.
Switzerland also is considering conducting a preemptive vaccination for the general public, but has yet to introduce it.
(Apr. 17, 2008)