Abu Dhabi, September 26: The Ministry of Health on Friday warned heads of medical zones and all private medical institutions against dispensing seasonal flu vaccine by claiming that it gives immunity against the swine flu (H1N1) virus.
A circular issued by the ministry’s Executive Director for Medical Practice and Licensing, Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, said, “Prescribing and dispensing the seasonal flu vaccine while claiming that it works against the H1N1 virus is a clear violation of medical rules and ethics and its sole aim is to make financial gains without considering the interest of the patient or the medical rules.” “Seasonal flu vaccine does not gives immunity against Influenza-A (H1N1),” Al Amiri pointed out.
“Vaccines against H1N1 will be administered under the supervision of the Ministry of Health as per the conditions determined by the World Health Organisation.” “No private entity can give or get these vaccines at present until instructions in (this) regard are issued by the ministry and the National Higher Supervisory Committee to Combat H1N1 virus,” the official clarified.
The circular instructed all private medical institutions to abstain from making misleading claims. He said action will be taken against private medical facilities and practitioners that do not follow the ministry’s instructions.
Meanwhile, the speciality clinics complex, run by Abu Dhabi Police Medical Services, has set up an isolation ward equipped with all facilities for those infected with H1N1 virus, disclosed Brigadier Salem Saleh Al Junaibi, director of Medical Services, in a press release.
The disease does not pose a major concern, thanks to the unfailing awareness of the people and steps taken by the authorities to prevent the virus from spreading, added Al Junaibi.
He said that if a case of the infection is detected, the patient will be transferred to the hospitals managed by the Abu Dhabi Health Authority.
–Agencies