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Hospitals Warned Against H1N1 Jab

DUBAI — The Ministry of Health has warned of legal action against private medical facilities dispensing seasonal flu vaccine claiming that it gives immunity against the Influenza
A (H1N1) virus.

A circular issuing warnings and instructions was sent to heads of all medical establishments last week. Last week, private hospitals were also banned from conducting unnecessary swine flu tests and indiscriminately charging patients for the same.

Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, CEO for Medical Practice and Licensing at the ministry, warned medical practitioners that prescribing and dispensing the seasonal flu vaccine while claiming that it works against the H1N1 virus is a violation of medical ethics.

“This action means that medical facilities are focused on making financial gains without considering the interest of the patient or the medical rules for prescribing and dispensing
a medicine.”

Dr Amiri, however, did not specify the kind of action that will be taken against the violators.

He clarified that vaccines against H1N1 will be administered by the ministry as per the conditions determined by the World Health Organisation.

“No private entity can give or get these vaccines at present until instructions in (this) regard are issued by the ministry,” he said.

On the other hand, reports from hospitals and clinics say that there has been a considerable increase in the number of people asking for flu shots since the weather started changing earlier this month. A yearly seasonal flu vaccine costs Dh200 including consultation with a specialist.

“We have at least two to three people asking for a flu shot everyday, mostly when they have a flu attack or when they are travelling,” said Dr Suresh Menon, specialist physician at
Jebel Ali Hospital.

He also said there has been at least a 30 per cent increase in the number of people visiting hospitals with flu-like symptoms. “The frequency of people visiting the hospitals with flu symptoms has also increased recently,” he said.

The medical fraternity, however, agrees that despite the debate on the possible effects of seasonal flu vaccine may have on containing the H1N1 virus, nothing is conclusive yet.

“There are several ongoing medical discussions on this matter but the standard flu vaccine does not even cover all strains of the flu virus; so how can it include the H1N1 virus?”
asked Dr Suresh.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.ae