H1N1: Who Should Be Vaccinated? – (CHECK OUT THE LIST)

Arrangements have been made to procure and airlift antiviral agents, Tamiflu, and vaccines for use.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) would take delivery of the anti-viral agents, Tamiflu, from the World Health Organisation as part of measures to combat the threat posed by the 2009 H1N1 strain of influenza, also known as Swine flu.

The question is who qualifies to be vaccinated?

Dr Henry Baffoe-Bonnie, a specialist in infectious diseases working in Saudi Arabia has given a list to guide the Ministry of Health in distributing the vaccine because according to him, ‘you can’t just give it to everyone’.

Speaking to Kwami Sefa-Kayi in a one-on-one interview on Peace FM's morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, Tuesday, Dr Bonnie advised the Ministry of Health to distribute the vaccines in order of priority.

Below is how he feels the vaccine should be distributed:

-Health care workers

-Pregnant women in second and third trimester

-Asthmatic, diabetic patients or those with chronic medical conditions

-Healthy individuals between ages 12-49

-Healthy children

-Those above the age of 50

Meanwhile, Dr Bonnie has indicated that the vaccine is very safe to take in. However, he indicated that “if you are allergic to eggs, you cannot take the vaccine”.