Algeria drops swine flu vaccine demand

Algeria reduced its demand for H1N1 flu virus vaccine to 32.5 million doses from 65 million as researches showed that one single dose per individual would be enough to avoid contamination, health ministry executive said Friday.

• “This decision will allow Algeria’s public treasury to save money instead of spending it on unused extra does,” said Doctor Samia Amrani.
• “The number of swine flu cases confirmed in Algeria is not so large compared to other countries,” she added.
• Earlier, the Algerian health minister Said Barkat said his country had demanded 65 million doses of swine flu vaccine from foreign laboratories.
• Speaking about ordinary influenza, Doctor Amrani said Algeria imported about 1 million and 550,000 doses because “most of the laboratories are busy with the H1N1 vaccine.”
• “The reduced number of doses can never trigger a crisis nor will it affect people’s health,” she added.
• According to Doctor Amrani, the vaccine is actually intended to elderly people and those suffering from chronic diseases. “Because of that, public health facilities will be in charge of vaccinating this category of people. The vaccine will not be distributed to pharmacies.”
• The first batch of the ordinary influenza vaccine arrived to Algeria, a few days ago. Pilgrims will be vaccinated with it through health centres in the country.