The Health Services Authority is expecting this season’s flu vaccine to be available by the third week in October.
The HSA will announce to the public when people can come in to receive their injections, according to Dr. Kiran Kumar, Medical Officer of Health.
This shipment will bring in 1,000 doses of the vaccine, he added. The private sector is expected to have some as well.
The HSA will keep track of the number of vaccinations being given, Mr. Kumar said.
He explained that in 2003, the 1,000 doses of flu vaccine the HSA brought in were exhausted due to worldwide rumours of a shortfall in supply.
‘We brought in more of the vaccine, but it wasn’t all used so we had to dump it. Because of that we will bring in 1,000 doses and offer those on a first come, first serve basis. If we run out, we will try to get more,’ Mr. Kumar said.
Every year, he looks at usage to determine how much to order.
‘Ten years ago, we only needed 500 doses. In 2004, 1,000 doses were adequate to meet our needs. Based on this year’s numbers, we may increase the amount of doses next year,’ he said.
The vaccines are especially important for certain groups of people.
‘We target people age 65 and older, and those with heart conditions, diabetes, asthma and bronchitis because if they get the flu, they can easily develop complications such as pneumonia,’ Mr. Kumar said.
He will also be targeting health care workers and advising the police and fire departments on the vaccine.
The vaccine may also help people who do get sick.
‘If someone gets the flu, the symptoms may be milder if they have had the vaccine,’ he said.
Some side effects are associated with the vaccine, Mr. Kumar explained, but these are not serious.
‘Any vaccine can produce a mild fever and pain at the injection site. There is a really remote chance of developing weakness in the limbs,’ he said.
The consensus worldwide is that this flu season is going to be worse than last year, he added.
Mr. Kumar also explained that the flu vaccine has nothing to do with bird flu.
‘The vaccine is not effective against bird flu, which is not transmitted from person to person,’ he said.
Well protected
Overall, Cayman is well protected from diseases for which immunisation is available.
According to the latest statistics released by Public Health, Cayman’s immunisation coverage is in line with World Health Organisation targets, Mr. Kumar said.
The department released the following figures for immunisation in the Cayman Islands, listed by disease and amount of coverage: polio, 92 per cent; DPT (diphtheria/whooping cough/tetanus), 92 per cent; Hib (Haemophilus influenza b), 92 per cent; MMR (measles/mumps/rubella-first dose), 87 per cent; BCG (tuberculosis), 92 per cent; Hepatitis B (three doses), 77 per cent; and Varicella (chicken pox), 81 per cent.
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