Public health: H1N1 swine flu vaccine available for free

Reaching the Great Island in the beginning of this year, the H1N1 swine flu has already killed 3 persons. In just a couple of months, the number of H1N1-infected individuals has topped 2 830 and 1 018 of which are seriously affected. However, in recent times, the WHO (World Health Organization) has declared the end of the H1N1 swine flu pandemic worldwide.  This means that the expansion of the H1N1 virus is now under control in every part of the globe including in Madagascar. In spite of that, however, the WHO warns every individual to be watchful because the H1N1 virus is not yet completely eradicated and it might reappear at any time in any place. For this reason, the WHO has just donated 1 047 000 recipients of H1N1 vaccine to the Malagasy government. The total cost of the vaccine recipients is estimated at about 4 million US Dollars.

The first phase of vaccination campaign will take place from next September 6 to 10 in all the regions of Madagascar. The 15 000 public health employees and pregnant women, generally considered as vulnerable, will be prioritized in this first phase. In a press conference, the Minister in charge of public health, the General Rajaonarison Pascal Jacques, assured the population that the H1N1 vaccine called PANENZA has no defective aspects in terms of quality. As for its administration, PANENZA is absolutely safe and does not present any side effects. Besides, the Minister also noted that the vaccine will be distributed for free. A second phase of vaccination campaign is scheduled by the end of this year, and the people considered as vulnerable will be once again prioritized. It is important to note that one recipient of PANENZA allows one person to be immunized for one year.