Windhoek, 21 May 2010 -- Vaccines to protect against the Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 virus, were handed-over to the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) from the World Health Organization (WHO) at the Central Medical Stores today. A total of 216 000 doses were received from WHO headquarters in Geneva on Wednesday, 19 May 2010. USAID donated syringes and other essential supplies to compliment WHO’s donation. In addition, WHO is availing NAD 1,250 million to support vaccine operations.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) will vaccinate against H1N1 - the flu-like illness, as part of its annual National Immunization Day (NID) campaign. The H1N1 vaccination is for selected target groups who are at higher risk of contracting the H1N1 Influenza. These selected groups include: health workers, immigration officials, pregnant women and children aged 6-11 months.

Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Petrina Haingura said, “The government is targeting health workers at a private, state, defense force and prisons healthcare facilities who come into direct contact and provide treatment or care as well as immigration officials at port health and border posts as the first group to be vaccinated, in order to protect these people from infection, and to ensure the healthcare system and country borders are able to continue to function during a pandemic”.

During the first round of the NID campaign scheduled from 1 to 3 June 2010, all children aged 6-11 months will receive Polio and Vitamin A drops and the H1N1 injection. The second round of the NID campaign will take place from 6-8 July 2010. Children aged 6-11 months will receive their second dose of Polio drops and the H1N1 injection. The vaccination will take place at community immunization points and all health facilities.

WHO has been coordinating the distribution of the pandemic vaccine donated by several countries and vaccine manufacturers. WHO Representative, Dr Magda Robalo said, “There is limited world supply of the vaccine but WHO has secured a supply for the most vulnerable groups in Namibia, estimated at 10% of the population. Depending on how the pandemic develops, WHO will support the Government to procure additional vaccines for other groups of the population. The safety profile of the vaccine is, as far as is known today, similar to that for other flu vaccines. Whilst there may be occasional side effects from the vaccine, the great majority of these are mild and temporary in nature. Once vaccinated, individuals will continue to be protected against this strain of influenza, which has already shown its ability to kill otherwise-healthy people around the world”.

Pandemic influenza H1N1 is a new virus that most people will not have immunity against. The virus is spread from person-to-person. It is transmitted as easily as the normal seasonal flu and can be passed to other people by exposure to infected droplets expelled by coughing or sneezing that can be inhaled, or that can contaminate hands or surfaces. There are no known instances of people getting infected by exposure to pigs or other animals.

Most people who contract H1N1 will recover without needing any medical attention. Some will not even have symptoms. But in some cases, the disease can have a serious effect, even leading to death. To prevent spread, people should cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, stay home when unwell, clean their hands regularly with soap. The Government encourages people to continue to stay informed about the illness and to prepare themselves. People can protect themselves and others from being infected by using cough etiquette (covering mouth when coughing, cough into sleeve when possible), wash hands if coughed/sneezed into them, and trying to avoid touching eyes or nose when the hands are not clean and staying home from work or school if feeling ill and keeping some distance from healthy people, as much as possible. This time of the year is when seasonal flu occurs which may result in an increase of H1N1 cases as well as seasonal flu.

Issued by: Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) & The World Health Organization (WHO)

For more details, contact:

MoHSS: Public Relations Officer: Ms Gladys Kamboo – email - gkamboo [at] mhss.gov.na , Ph-0612032054 /081-216-1330

WHO: Communications & Advocacy: Michelle Thulkanam – email - thulkanamm [at] na.afro.who.int , Ph- 0612046337 081-423-0556