Half of the US population needs to be vaccinated against influenza A / H1N1

US authorities say about half of the US population needs to be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus with the first priority for pregnant women and health workers.

According to a government advisory committee, health officials should prepare to vaccinate 160 million people. The vaccination campaign will begin in mid-October and each individual will receive two doses of vaccine.

In the absence of sufficient vaccine, the high-risk group will be given top priority. In addition to pregnant women, this group also includes caregivers of infants, health workers and children aged 6 months to 4 years.

An expert is studying the A / H1N1 flu vaccine at the Infectious Diseases Laboratory of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.(Photo: Reuters)

Adults aged 19 to 24 and those with health problems are also in the next priority group. Health officials said that older people seem to have higher natural immunity to the H1N1 virus.

In fact, the number of cases of influenza A / H1N1 in the US is on the decline after reaching the peak 10 weeks ago. However, scientists believe that the disease may reverse during the autumn months when the weather is cooler.

A new study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, released on July 29, shows pregnant women are at risk of hospitalization because influenza A / H1N1 is much higher than other groups. other. If not treated promptly, their illness will be more complicated.

Meanwhile in Tel Aviv, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the Israeli health sector to buy enough vaccines for all of the 7.5 million people in the country. Netanyahu's decision was made at a meeting with health officials to discuss measures to combat influenza A / H1N1.

There are thousands of cases of influenza A / H1N1 in Israel and one case of death from this disease.

Netanyahu's office estimated the cost of this vaccine vaccination campaign is about $ 115 million.

Currently, pharmaceutical companies around the world are rushing to produce a vaccine against influenza A / H1N1 and they hope to launch the product on the market in late September or early October.