The Ministry of Public Health is preparing 3.4-million doses of swine-flu vaccine for four, at-risk groups to be administered May 1.
The H1N1 flu outbreak was first detected in the northern region and has since spread to the central and the northeast of Thailand, said the ministry’s Wachira Pengchan.
The seasonal H1N1 flu outbreak has killed 35 of the 26,645 patients who contracted the disease in 17 provinces from Jan. 1 through April 4, according to the Department of Disease Control.
The 17 provinces where the flu has been been contracted include: Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Pitsanulok, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Nakorn Prathom, Chainat, Samutprakarn, Chantaburi, Petchaburi, Nakorn Ratchasima, Srisaket, Buriram, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Nakorn Sri Thammarat and Kampaengpetch.
Another flu outbreak is expected during the next few months when new school term starts this May. So in order to prevent it from becoming worse, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization is preparing to give out 3.4-million doses of flu vaccine for four groups at risk: the elderly, patients with chronic diseases, babies two years or younger, and women who are four months pregnant or longer, NNT reported, which will be available at nationwide community hospitals on May 1.
Photo: Lindsey Turner
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