Pandemic flu vaccination campaign launched

The pandemic influenza vaccination campaign started on December 16. The first 150,000 vaccines of the 500,000 promised by the Government of Romania will be used to immunize the persons forming part of risk groups – doctors, customs officers, administration of the airport, border guards, social workers and persons suffering from particular chronic diseases, Info-Prim Neo reports. Deputy Minister of Health Mihai Magdei said 50,000 vaccines of the 150,000 will be used in the municipality of Chisinau, while the rest in districts. Mihai Magdei followed the example of Minister of Health Vladimir Hotineanu and vaccinated himself against pandemic flu to prove the inoffensiveness of the drug. He stressed that the procedure is necessary as hundreds of cases of flu are recorded daily. According to Magdei, the World Health Organization (WHO) will provide 950,000 vaccines to Moldova. The first batch of 450,000 vaccines will come late in January, while the other part in April, when a new wave of pandemic flu is expected. Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca said he will be vaccinated in the end, after all those exposed to risk are immunized. “In order not to catch the disease, I will observe the hygiene rules, avoid crowded places and will contact the family doctor. I hope I will not get sick.” Adela Glavan, the head of the Local Medical Association of Centru district, said that before administering the vaccine, the family doctor must examine the patients, measure the blood pressure and supervise them during half an hour after administration so as to take immediate action in case of complications. The vaccine can be administered to persons older than 16. It is not recommended to pregnant women. They will be immunized with the vaccines that will come from the WHO at the end of January.