Don't be hasty with flu vaccine, ex-minister warns
By THE NATION ON SUNDAY
Published on July 19, 2009
Dr Suchai Charoenrattanakul, a former public health minister, yesterday expressed concern that a hasty vaccine programme against the outbreak of A(H1N1) influenza could be risky. Usually, it takes two years to test a vaccine but the government said the current programme will be done in three months.
Suchai also said the government's policy on the so-called swine flu is also inconsistent, leading to failure to act quickly and sufficiently to contain the outbreak during its early stage.
On public updates on the situation of swine flu, he said the government should continue to be transparent and give updates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday rather than once a week.
He also called for more laboratories to test the virus so that results could be reported within 24 hours.
[more at the link above]
By THE NATION ON SUNDAY
Published on July 19, 2009
Dr Suchai Charoenrattanakul, a former public health minister, yesterday expressed concern that a hasty vaccine programme against the outbreak of A(H1N1) influenza could be risky. Usually, it takes two years to test a vaccine but the government said the current programme will be done in three months.
Suchai also said the government's policy on the so-called swine flu is also inconsistent, leading to failure to act quickly and sufficiently to contain the outbreak during its early stage.
On public updates on the situation of swine flu, he said the government should continue to be transparent and give updates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday rather than once a week.
He also called for more laboratories to test the virus so that results could be reported within 24 hours.
[more at the link above]