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First HINI vaccine shipment for Region by next month

Oct 22, 2009 News

The H1N1 virus is likely to intensify its attack in the upcoming months of December and January but according to Caricom Secretariat Programme Manager for Health Sector Development, Dr Rudolph Cummings, the Caribbean is more prepared to deal with the virus a second time around.
Dr Cummings, former Chief Medical Officer within the local Health Ministry, has anchored his belief on the fact that most member states are seeking to acquire the HINI vaccine.
It is expected that the first shipment of the vaccine is to arrive in the region during the latter part of next month, even as efforts are engaged to gear for further attacks from the virus otherwise known as the swine flu, detailed a statement from the Secretariat.
The vaccine will provide immunisation for the Community’s most vulnerable groups – children, pregnant women, persons suffering from Chronic Non-Communicable Disease and young people – against an anticipated second attack of the virus.  According to some reports the elderly are more immune to the virus.
It was noted in the statement that the United States contributed significantly to a Global Fund which was used to develop the vaccine that could be delivered at no cost to some member states.
However, Dr Cummings pointed out that this was not enough and some countries that did not benefit from the Global Fund would have to buy additional doses. The costs, he said would be kept to approximately US$7 per vaccine.
“We have passed the panic stage,” Dr Cummings asserted, “and for the majority who will be affected, the virus will just pass like the common flu.” He further underscored that the approach to testing and treating the virus has changed since its first appearance in late May.  He said that initially, tests were done for all flu like symptoms but now it will be done in the public sector for severe acute respiratory infections.
Dr Cummings was one of three participants in a recent panel discussion titled Caribbean Connections, a new media product launched by the Guyana-based Internet Radio and Podcaster, Demerara Waves, and web cast to a New York audience through the New York based One Caribbean Radio.
The programme is managed and moderated by Caribbean Journalist Denis Chabrol.

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