• Published 01:21 19.10.09
  • Latest update 02:09 19.10.09

First swine flu vaccinations arrive in Israel

The batch of 350,000 swine flu vaccinations will be distributed over the next two weeks.

By Dan Even Tags: swine flu Israel health Israel news

The first swine flu vaccinations arrived in Israel Sunday, and 350,000 doses are expected to be here by the end of the week.

The vaccinations, produced by the Swiss company Novartis, were flown in. They are expected to pass inspection, have the relevant stickers in Hebrew applied, and be distributed to the health maintenance organizations and hospitals over the next two weeks.

The team advising the Health Ministry on handling epidemics decided last week that the first vaccinations would be administered to medical staff and to chronically ill patients between the ages of 10-65.

Chronically ill patients between the ages of 3 and 9 will receive two inoculations.

The team has not yet decided whether to inoculate pregnant women and children under age 3.

Inoculation has already begun in the U.S., Australia and the United Kingdom.

Long lines in U.S.

Long lines were reported at U.S. vaccination points, despite warnings that the vaccine may have significant side effects, as it underwent expedited testing.

During the last swine flu outbreak, in 1976, a vaccine was developed that left 500 people with Guillain-Barre syndrome, which has neurological side-effects. Twenty-five people died due to respiratory complications.

Israel is expecting to receive 1.75 million vaccinations by the end of the year, and 2.3 million by next March. The vaccinations will be provided by the three companies contracted by the Health Ministry - Novartis, Sanofi Pasteur of France, and GlaxoSmithKline of Britain.

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      This story is by: Dan Even
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    • 4. 0 0
      My family does not take this vaccin
      • Benjamina
      • 19.10.09
      • 20:06

      My children are suffering from severe allergies, it runs in the family together with asthma, hey fever, eczema. One of the reasons for the enormous explosion of baby's born with allergies is the vaccin programme which started aftger WW2. My family is not taking the Mexican flu vaccin (known as Swine flu in Israel) even if it is free (and we Dutch love everything free, lol). Seriously, think twice before letting yr children be vaccined.

    • 3. 0 0
      David stop being playing " the all knowing American from the
      • world observer
      • 19.10.09
      • 14:52

      greatest nation of the world" - not - that you have been programmed to be. Of course the swine flu 'virus' has mutated since 1976 but the possible side effects from the vaccine still exist.

    • 2. 0 0
      swine flu vaccination
      • deborah
      • 19.10.09
      • 10:43

      My daughter can not have the flu vaccine as she had Guillain-Barre syndrome at the age of 21 months. Its a horrible disease which has left her with pain even though she is now 17. It is only recently that there has been a connection between her leg and hip pain to the GB syndrome. If you do not have to have the vaccine then don't. She was one of the lucky ones, she survived, many do not.

    • 1. 0 0
      Swine flu side effects in U.S ?
      • David
      • 19.10.09
      • 08:23

      What warnings of significant side effects? there's no such news here in the U.S! Trying to scare people? this vaccine is similar to the "normal" flu vaccine that is manufactured anew every year. Also reference to 1976 is not relevant. It's not the same type of flu ('76 was very mild). This new strain already proved itself in Mexico.