H1N1 Vaccines Delay

Director of Disease Surveillance at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Asiedu Bekoe, has revealed that the Antiviral drugs ―Tamiflu needed for the treatment of the deadly H1N1 Influenza which claimed the lives of some students at the Kumasi Academy (KUMACA) may not arrive until next week.

According to him, the vaccines have delayed due to a challenge encountered by the World Health Organisation Supplier in shipping the vaccines into the country.

The drugs were to be supplied by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as requested by government and expected in Ghana on Friday however, students and staff of KUMACA would have to wait longer to receive the interventions which would fight against the deadly H1N1 Influenza and prevent its spread.

Nonetheless, some students and staff have already received vaccinations and various health interventions, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa

The H1N1 influenza also known as ‘Swine Flu’, a fortnight ago claimed the lives of four students preceding cases of meningitis at other secondary school campuses.

The outbreaks of the viral diseases which have sparked fears have been blamed on congestion at the secondary schools following the commencement of the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme.

Tamiflu

Tamiflu is common brand for the generic drug, Oseltamivir and is used to treat symptoms caused by the flu virus (influenza).

It helps make the symptoms such as stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, fever/chills, aches, tiredness less severe and shortens the recovery time by one-two days.

This medication may also be used to prevent the flu if one has been exposed to someone who has been infected― like a sick household member or if there is an outbreak in the community.

This medication works by stopping the flu virus from growing.

Source: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]