Swine flu vaccine arrives

Swine flu vaccines have finally arrived in the state and are being distributed to the medical professionals. The vaccine,imported by the Centre earlier this year,arrived by March and will reach the districts by April 20. Senior health department officials said the distribution in the districts began last week. A total of 28,900 doses were procured by the state to be given to doctors,nurses,paramedical staff at the screening centers and hospitals — government and private — which have facilities to treat such cases. Doctors in the Rapid Response Team and the patient’s family will get the vaccine as well,said Dr RK Khanna,Director,Communicable and Vector Borne Disease,Health Directorate. To be administered through intramuscular injection,a single dose of the vaccine is enough. The vaccines,made by Sanofi Aventis,is being imported from Cuba and is being distributed free of cost in the states.