Despite the recent outbreak of the pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus in Ghana, Nigeria is yet to receive stocks of vaccine to prepare for a possible outbreak in the country.
Two Nigerians have so far died of the virus and 11 cases have been confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH). A nine-year-old American girl was the first case of HINI in Nigeria, which was reported in November 2009.
Experts are worried that the scenario may threaten efforts to control the virus, especially in developing countries. They said the demand for the vaccine worldwide has outstripped the supply, which coupled with the high cost of the vaccine, has made it difficult to obtain.
Former Health Minister, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, has been elected Vice Chair, International Health Regulations (IHR) Review Committee, which was set up by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to assess the global response to the pandemic H1N1.
Source: Nigerian Guardian Newspaper http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/article03/200410?pdate=200410&ptitle=Vaccine%20shortage%20threatens%20%27swine%20flu%27%20control&cpdate=200410
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