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Second Batch of H1N1 Vaccine Arrives

“Enough quantities of the vaccine have arrived as per schedule and we are now deciding which priority group needs to be vaccinated next,” said the official, who declined to be named. The Technical Health Committee to Combat H1N1 is expected to meet next week to take the decision.

GlaxoSmithKline delivered the promised 90,000 doses for this year of Pandermrix or D-Pan intramuscular vaccine this month. Early in November, the company had delivered 40,000 doses, the majority of which were used to vaccinate Haj pilgrims when the country officially launched its National Immunisation Campaign for H1N1. As reported by Khaleej Times earlier, only healthcare workers in critical care units were given the remaining vaccine.

According to a recent vaccination plan given to the World Health Organisation’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional office, the UAE has listed pregnant women to be vaccinated next in terms of priority though the world health body recommends that healthcare workers be given top priority. However, it also asks countries to modify the plan as per their requirements.

Vaccination of pregnant women will be followed by that of children and adolescents (six months to 18 years), people between 25 and 64 years of age with existing chronic health conditions, healthcare workers and finally, university students, according to the submitted plan.

Only two regional countries — UAE and Qatar — have prioritised vaccinating pregnant women, while the majority have opted to follow the WHO recommendations for healthcare workers. However, Qatar is only vaccinating women who are in the third trimester of their pregnancy. Of the six deaths reported due to H1N1 infection in the country, two were pregnant women.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE