The nationwide vaccination of children at kindergartens, elementary schools and special needs pupils against the H1N1 swine flu virus begins Saturday. The campaign, conducted by trained personnel from School Health Units and Primary Health Care Centers, also covers all teaching staff across the country, and will take five days, according to Suleiman Al-Shehri of the Ministry of Education's Medical Services. Al-Shehri, who is also a member of the Scientific Committee for Combat Infectious Diseases, moved to allay fears over the safety of the virus following the recall of vaccines in the United States. “The H1N1 vaccines recalled in the US were not produced by the companies from which the Kingdom has purchased its vaccines,” Al-Shehri said. “More than 65 million people around the world have taken the vaccine without developing complications.” According to Al-Shehri, the latest statistics show that nearly 1,389,153 persons have contracted the virus around the world resulting in 13,877 fatalities. Al-Shehri reiterated that the Ministry of Health had repeatedly assured the public that the vaccine is safe, and added that side-effects were no different from those of other vaccines habitually taken during childhood or adulthood. “They include a mild headache, redness in the area where the injection was given, aching muscles, and a high temperature or vomiting,” Al-Shehri said. “Persons with egg allergies and those allergic to seasonal flu vaccines are advised not to take the vaccine,” he added. The first phase of swine flu vaccination targeted all persons involved in the Haj pilgrimage. This second phase, which is voluntary and will only be administered with parental approval, is expected to see a low demand for inoculation after a Ministry of Health survey revealed late last week that approximately 65 percent of guardians did not intend to sign approval forms. The Ministry of Education last Thursday again urged parents to approve vaccination for their children.
