Originally posted by Imago Dei
300,000 swine flu vaxines are now available in NZ, but only front line health officials will be allowed to have access to it.
[edit on 6-7-2009 by Imago Dei]
Where are you getting your information that vaccine is available NOW in New Zealand?
Vaccine on way for health workers
7/7/09
Frontline health workers could be immunised against swine flu within months after the Government ordered 300,000 vaccine doses from a United States drug company.
Up to 150,000 hospital, emergency and primary health care workers will receive two doses of the Baxter Healthcare vaccine, which Health Minister Tony Ryall said would be in New Zealand within a month.
However, licensing hurdles mean the vaccine would not be offered to workers until December unless it was fast-tracked.
The Health Ministry said vaccinating health workers would help ease the strain that swine flu has put on health services, which have been hit by increased hospital admissions and staff absences.
More than 30 Wellington Hospital staff have tested positive for the virus and others have taken leave to care for ill family members.
The Government also has a contract with Australian company CSL to supply eight million doses of its vaccine.
Deputy director of public health Fran McGrath said the ministry decided to place the second order when it became clear the Australian vaccine would not be ready for several months. "This vaccine is going to be available earlier."
The vaccine would not be offered to the general population.
If the virus suddenly mutated and became more aggressive, the licensing process for both vaccines could be cut to weeks rather than months, Dr McGrath said.
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However, Karma will probably now give me a fatal dose of the old flu and I will cease to exist.
