CARICOM to get swine flu vaccine

CARICOM countries are scheduled to begin receiving the first shipment of the vaccine to combat the influenza A HINI virus next month.



The Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said the vaccine would provide immunization for children, pregnant women, persons suffering from Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases and young people.



The Secretariat said the United States has contributed significantly to a Global Fund, which was used to develop the vaccine and will be delivered at no cost to some member states.



However countries that did not benefit from the Global Fund will have to buy additional doses at a minimum cost of US$7.00.



Meanwhile, several Caribbean countries have reported an increase in the number of people infected with the virus, while Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Suriname have reported deaths.