Health stores nearly 200,000 doses influenza vaccines have not been used
The Department of Health has closed the influenza epidemic in the Region. The number of cases is already very low-less than 500 concerned in the last week of December-with what, unless there is a second wave of infections, we conclude that the H1N1 virus is in retreat. However, Public Health stores are between 168,000 and 200,000 doses of vaccine against the disease that have not been used because only 32% of Murcia, who were called to be immunized have come to his clinic. The problem is common throughout Spain: in all autonomous communities have provided three million doses. Another ten million are keeping dust, and nobody knows what to do with them.
Specifically, the Department Murcia purchased 268,689 doses. However, health centers have been used only 80,521 (less than 30%). They have gone to patients included within the risk groups (patients with chronic diseases, essential service workers and health personnel). The counselor, Angeles Palacios, expects the final number of vaccines supplied will rise “about 100,000″ because they still have to add those that have been distributed in hospitals. In any case, the drawer will remain unutilized between 63 and 70% of the doses that were purchased.
José Antonio Navarro, head of Vaccine Counseling, argues that the results in Murcia are better than the rest of Spain, but recognizes that they have achieved the objectives set for the campaign has been developed in “adverse conditions”. For starters, the H1N1 virus has behaved like any seasonal flu. There has been high mortality and the incidence has not even been particularly high. In Murcia, the record closes with 14 deaths and only 55 serious cases. In addition, health authorities have had to deal with all kinds of messages and campaigns antivacunacion. Since the nun Teresa Forcades, which swept ‘Youtube’ warning of suspected adverse reactions, even the most unexpected conspiracy theories.
Social pressure
“Public opinion has changed in April so that people would have killed to be vaccinated in October and nobody wanted to do it,” Navarro summarized graphically. When he began to speak of the vaccine, the Ministry, which has charge of purchasing for the entire country, he encountered a barrage of requests. The most unimaginable collective risk groups were considered. Taxi drivers, teachers, stewardesses, businessmen. Everyone wanted to be immunized. Until he joined the PP wave vaccines asking “for the greatest number of citizens.” The Government finally decided to expand their initial forecasts. Purchased 13.5 million doses, of which only been used 3, and also reserved another 24 million to ensure vaccination of 40% of the population. Now that last shipment has been canceled, but have ten million without use in warehouses throughout the country.