BANGKOK, 17 April 2014 —The Ministry of Public Health is preparing 3.4-million doses of the influenza vaccine for four groups at risk to be administered on May 1.
The H1N1 flu outbreak was first detected from the northern region and then spread to the central and the northeast, said Dr Deputy Permanent-Secretary Wachira Pengchan.
According to the Department of Disease Control’s Bureau of Epidemiology, the seasonal H1N1 flu outbreak has killed 35 of the 26,645 patients who contracted the disease in 17 provinces from January 1 through April 4.
The 17 provinces where the flu has been been contracted include: Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Pitsanulok, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Nakorn Prathom, Chainat, Samutprakarn, Chantaburi, Petchaburi, Nakorn Ratchasima, Srisaket, Buriram, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Nakorn Sri Thammarat, and Kampaengpetch.
Another flu outbreak is expected during the next few months when new school term starts this May. So in order to prevent it from becoming worse, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization is preparing to give out 3.4-million doses of flu vaccine for four groups at risk: the elderly, patients with chronic diseases, babies two years or younger, and women who are four months pregnant or longer. These will be available at nationwide community hospitals on May 1.
