Swine flu death toll at 93, ministry announces

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has informed city health directorates about the country’s vaccination process, which was launched by the ministry as a precautionary step to prevent the further spread of the virus.

“Half of current swine flu patients and one-fifth of its victims are children. The possibility that the virus accelerates lower respiratory disease is high. The best way to protect oneself from this disease is vaccination. Vaccination has been advised by the World Health Organization [WHO] and the European Center for Prevention and Control (ECDC) to protect children from swine flu. The Health Ministry is coordinating Turkey’s vaccination effort. Our state has vaccines and provides them free to the public,” another statement from the ministry on Thursday read, adding that the preventive effect of the vaccine begins two weeks after vaccination.

Furthermore, Health Minister Recep Akdağ pointed out yesterday that there are no vaccines produced in Turkey, during a visit to Novagenix Biyoanalitik, a research and development company operating in the medical industry, and stated that the Health Ministry would be able to produce the vaccine if the necessary agreements are signed with foreign investors. He also noted that in 2010 the government will spend more than TL 300 million on buying vaccines from foreign sources.