Health workers to be 1st to receive new-flu vaccine under gov't plan+

TOKYO, Sept. 4 Kyodo -
An estimated 1 million healthcare workers treating flu patients will get top
priority for vaccination against the new influenza in Japan when domestic
vaccines become available around late October, the health ministry said Friday.
Around 10 million pregnant women and people with underlying conditions will be
next in line, ahead of 6 million preschoolers and around 2 million parents of
babies under the age of one, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare said.
Health minister Yoichi Masuzoe also indicated Friday that the ministry will aim
to reduce the financial burden of vaccination for those on low incomes.
The ministry also said in its vaccination plan that around 35 million
elementary, junior and senior high school students as well as those aged 65 or
older should be inoculated earlier as the new influenza has been spreading
rapidly among teens and even elderly people without chronic diseases may
develop severe symptoms if they contract it.
The nation's vaccination policy will be finalized later this month after public
consultations. The ministry anticipates that domestically produced new-flu
vaccines for around 18 million people will be available by March next year and
that imported vaccines will be available for use from late December.
The ministry is preparing to import vaccines for the new H1N1 strain of
influenza A to help cover shortfalls in domestic production. Masuzoe has
expressed hope that Japan will secure about 60 million doses of vaccines,
including those produced domestically.
People with chronic diseases are believed to be at higher risk of falling into
a serious condition after being infected with the new flu. The ministry said
people suffering from asthma, heart, kidney, liver and blood diseases as well
as HIV and cancer will receive priority.
==Kyodo
2009-09-04 23:39:40