Australia prepares vaccine for influenza A / H1N1

Yesterday (September 18), Australia approved a vaccine against influenza A / H1N1 and announced it would begin vaccinating this month for the most at-risk groups such as health workers and women. pregnancy, people with chronic diseases.

Australian pharmaceutical regulators have allowed CSL Ltd's vaccine to be used for people over 10 years of age. However, the Drug Administration is expecting results from further clinical trials before approving the use of vaccines for children.

Australian Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the vaccination will start on September 30. " Today's announcement means that Australia will be one of the first countries to provide vaccines to people ," Roxon told reporters.

Some countries prepare vaccination campaign for influenza A / H1N1 vaccine (Photo: Reuters)

The United States, which also ordered the CSL vaccine, plans to vaccinate in mid-October. China has approved the domestic influenza A / H1N1 vaccine but has not yet announced a specific vaccination campaign.

The first CSL vaccine will be used for priority groups that account for more than 4 million of Australia's 21 million people. They are: pregnant women, people with chronic diseases, obese, aboriginal people in remote areas, children with disabilities and health care workers.

Clinical trials confirmed that a vaccine was effective for adults. CSL is ready to supply 4 million of the 21 million doses ordered by the government. The rest will be shipped this year.

Australia has also pledged to provide vaccines to the World Health Organization to distribute in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to WHO, influenza A / H1N1 has killed more than 3,500 people worldwide. Last week, the organization assessed that pandemics are declining in some countries in the moderate region of the southern hemisphere including Australia, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa.

However, the Australian Health Minister said that more than 300 Australians remained in the hospital because of the flu, 56 patients were seriously ill.