WHO: All Countries Will Need Swine Flu Vaccines

The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) at the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that the swine flu pandemic is "unstoppable", and that thus all countries will need vaccines against the A (H1N1) virus.

A report from 6 July says that there have been nearly 95,000 cases of laboratory-confirmed swine flu in 135 countries. 429 people have died from the illness.

The number of cases in Turkey is 40.

According to the experts, each country will develop precautionary measures according to specific conditions, but that there are three basic targets:

* Protect the integrity of the health-care system and the country's critical infrastructure;

* Reduce morbidity and mortality; and

* Reduce transmission of the pandemic virus within communities.

A major priority is the immunisation of health workers, as well as the prioritised vaccination of pregnant women, adults aged over 50 and healthy children. (TK/AG)