Novel Influenza vaccine to arrive in December

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has decided to import WHO approved Novel Influenza (A)H1N1 2009 vaccine to Sri Lanka and has already placed the order. The vaccine will arrive in December. So far 258 clinically proved Novel Influenza (A)H1N1 patients have been discovered from Sri Lanka and five deaths have been reported so far.

According to the sources three out of five dead patients were pregnant mothers. It is possible that an unknown number of infected persons are scattered all over the country at the moment.

Considering all these facts the vaccine will be imported shortly.

The decision was taken during a meeting held yesterday with the presence of Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva and representatives from the Epidemiology Unit, Medical Research Institute (MRI) and Medical Supplies Division (MSD) of the Ministry.

Once here, the vaccine will be given on a priority basis and the four high risk categories will receive it first. They are pregnant mothers, infants below six months, elderly above the age of 60 and persons who are suffering from chronic diseases.

Arrangements will be also made to provide the vaccine to persons in the medical and healthcare services.