BANGKOK, 4 June 2012 – The Public Health Ministry has warned residents to be aware of the spread of influenza during the rainy season, citing up to 900,000 people have been infected with the virus each year.
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has revealed that influenza usually spreads during the rainy season. The DDC and the National Health Security Office (NHSO) are therefore offering free vaccines against AH1N1, AH3N2, and B-type viruses to people in seven risk groups.
They are (1) people with chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and immunodeficiency, (2) elderly over 65 years of age, (3) people heavier than 100 kilograms, (4) autistic patients, (5) children from 6 months old-2 years old, (6) pregnant women, and (7) medical practitioners and officials who work with poultry.
The Ministry expects to give the vaccines to 3.55 million people. The service is provided at all hospitals participating in the NHSO from June 1st-September 30th.
