Immediate ‘Tamiflu’ rather than swab results for H1N1 virus
Government yesterday announced that patients showing symptoms of the H1N1 virus are to be administered Tamiflu immediately rather than being swabbed. This included vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children.
The change in strategy to contrast the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, was announced by Parlaimentary Secretary Mario Galea who explained that healthy persons who do not have health complications are being advised not to take Tamiflu unless their condition worsens.
According to the new strategy, private doctors or GP’s will prescribe Tamiflu as required and it can be collected from government pharmacies and health centres, while the Mater Dei pharmacy will be dispensing syrups and doses of ‘Relenza’ for those allergic to Tamiflu.
Statistics released yesterday show that 682 cases of H1N1 had been confirmed until yesterday, causing three deaths. There were 92 admissions to hospital.
Meanwhile, Mario Galea said that Malta had enough available doses of Tamiflu and the vaccines would arrive shortly. While the administration of the vaccine would start on January 2, the first to be vaccinated would be health care workers, pregnant women and those who suffered from chronic diseases.
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