The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has announced that member states should begin getting their first shipment of Swine Flu vaccine in November.It said that the vaccine will provide immunisation for the most vulnerable groups: children, pregnant mothers, persons suffering from Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases and young people.
Dr Rudolph Cummings, CARICOM's Programme Manager for Health Sector Development told the Caribbean Media Corporation, "The bad news is this virus is expected to intensify its attack during the colder months of December to January; the good news is that the Caribbean is more prepared to deal this virus the second time around as most member states are seeking to acquire the vaccine."
He added, "We have passed the panic stage and for the majority who will be affected, the virus will just pass like the common flu.” Dr Cummings said the approach to testing and treating the virus has changed since its first appearance in late May, noting that initially, tests were done for all flu like symptoms but now it will be done in the public sector for severe acute respiratory infections.
Several Caribbean countries have reported an increase in the number of people infected with the virus, while Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Suriname have reported several deaths as a result of the virus.
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