CzechRep takes responsibility for flu vaccine's side effects

New clinical data have confirmed that the vaccine is safe, Snajdr said, adding that undesirable effects are identical with those of seasonal flu.

"I can guarantee that the ministry and the Czech Republic take responsibility for possible undesirable effects," Snajdr stressed.

He also said the inoculation of children against swine flu would be debated at the Health Ministry on Wednesday.

The ministry thereby expects to raise the number of vaccinated people by 50,000 to 100,000.

The vaccination against swine flu will continue in the Czech Republic even after the epidemic erupts all over its territory, Snajdr said, referring to the practice in Sweden and Norway.

Chief sanitary officer Michael Vit confirmed it.

In the Czech Republic the swine flu epidemic has so far hit three regions - Karlovarsky, west Bohemia, Moravskoslezsky, north Moravia, and Zlinsky, south Moravia.

Snajdr said 2000 from 5400 general practitioners and most vaccination centres in the country had already received the vaccine.

Along with the vaccine, Tamiflu anti-viral medicine is being distributed for the treatment of patients with a more severe course of swine flu.

A total of 157 hospitals and 300 out of 2500 paediatricians have already received Tamiflu.

Its distribution might be completed by Friday, Snajdr added.

The vaccination was to be officially launched today. However, a number of vaccination centres received the vaccine only today. Consequently, they plan to launch the vaccination on Tuesday.

The vaccination is voluntary for selected patients, Snajdr pointed out.

The ministry expects some patients to reject it and the vaccine reserve would be used for other people who are threatened with swine flu, he added.

The vaccination of children over 10 years is also being considered. Only one dose is sufficient for them.

Vit said the pandemic might last four months up to 1.5 years when inoculation should be underway.

"The Czech Republic has definitely not started late (with the inoculation) but during the (swine flu) occurrence, which is similar to most European countries that are vaccinating," Vit added.

In the ten-million Czech Republic 256 cases of flu-like diseases per 100,000 inhabitants were reported last week, the Health Ministry said.

State Institute for Drug Control (SUKL) head Martin Benes said more people could be vaccinated against the pandemic flu since the one-dose scheme was extended to include more groups.

Autor: ČTK
www.ctk.cz