Swine flu vaccination to be available from the end of November

The Ministry of Health announced Thursday that vaccines against the swine flu virus would first be available at the end of November, and that the Czech Republic will sign a contract Friday for a supply for 2.5 million people. Health Minister Dana Jurásková said that the contract would hold the manufacturer responsible for the vaccine and any potential side effects, and that the country would thus avoid having to use unapproved medicaments as occurred in the US and UK. The first batch of the vaccine is intended for distribution among those providing basic services – healthcare workers, police, firemen and so on – and for 2 million in higher risk categories. With 27 new cases announced Thursday the number of A/H1N1 diagnoses in the Czech Republic is currently 162, and health officials have warned that autumn could bring a tremendous rise in the number of infections.