Sweden edition

Sweden finds funds for swine flu vaccinations

Published: 25 Aug 09 14:42 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/21680/20090825/

The Swedish government announced on Tuesday that one billion kronor ($142 million) has been set aside to help fund the the vaccination of the entire population against swine flu.

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"The government will earmark one billion kronor for the costs incurred by county councils linked to the pandemic," Health Minister Maria Larsson said in a statement.

County councils are in charge of healthcare in Sweden and will be tasked with carrying out and paying for the mass vaccination.

Sweden has signed an agreement with British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline for the delivery of 18 million doses of the vaccine when it is ready, enough to cover its population of some 9.3 million people.

Two doses of the vaccine are needed to ensure protection from the A(H1N1) virus.

Sweden's mass vaccination programme will be on a voluntary basis, though authorities hope to vaccinate as many people as possible. Among those who will be prioritised are those who suffer from respiratory conditions, diabetes, heart conditions and pregnant women.

According to the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKL), the total cost of the vaccination programme is expected to be around 2.0 to 2.5 billion kronor, including 1.2 to 1.3 billion for the cost of the vaccine alone.

The association has recommended that the vaccination be offered free of charge to residents of Sweden.

The government hopes to begin vaccinations in late September or early October and complete the procedure by early 2010.

Vaccines against swine flu are not yet available on the market as they are still undergoing clinical trials.

AFP/The Local (news@thelocal.se)

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15:13 August 25, 2009 by Leprehcaun

If there's a side effect with this vaccine I'll become a state terrorist. This flue is ridiculous, it's like the bird flue all over again but since then someone has had a failed brain surgery. I seem to say this a lot but it is also necessary, this has been blown out of proportion. What a waste..

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15:53 August 25, 2009 by peropaco

I am happy they found the funds for the mass vaccination, otherwise they could have peeled of some of the dough they send to support the lifestyle of the PA head honchos; including the widow of Arafat.

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16:03 August 25, 2009 by voidplay

Sweden isn't the only country, but considering that most of the money is going to go to one coorporation, either it is a scam (international and unethical) or the disease is really that dangerous.

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16:28 August 25, 2009 by bocale1

Last statistics from WHO where about over 182166 cases and 1799 deaths worldwide, that would make less than 1% of deaths on the reported cases but...

- only the cases with severe symptoms are probably reported since not all patients with flu symptoms contact an hospital or are tested against the H1N1

- due to the number of cases, the WHO stopped tracking carefully this number so that nowadays not all countries are providing fresh data, that means that real figures can be much much higher

- I haven´t found so many comparisons with standard seasonal flu about mortality rate and this lack of information, as usual, make me feel very very suspicious...

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16:35 August 25, 2009 by benomax

My view is that, it is good to give vaccinate every body in Sweden, but sometimes I wonder if there is a side effect on this vaccination, if there is, which means every body is affected. I think those in critical condition should be given first and, let every one wait and see the reaction first . One has to be very careful about vaccination because otherwise it becomes a national disaster if there is a devastating side effect on the human body.

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18:28 August 25, 2009 by Leprehcaun

Well I have heard a number but I don't remember where or when I read it. Anyway, I only remember that I considered the source quite believable; anyway to skip the BS the number I've heard is 36 000 annually. Every year 36 000 people die annually from normal flue.

I think it might have been on CNN (international) in March or whatever.. or it was on the internet.. sigh.

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19:33 August 25, 2009 by 2fingers

Why did the WHO drop the criteria used for years to define a pandemic? Why are we being bombarded by the media that this flu is so deadly when statistics show it is no more deadly than the common flu?? Here's a interesting article by a leading scientists on the subject:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,637119,00.html

I can't imagine subjecting my kids to the introduction of a vaccine that could really hurt them. A vaccine that is being rushed to market based on hype and is not even being subject to normal testing protocols as any other drug would be! The EU has fasttracked this vaccine which means relaxed testing protocols AND the drug companies forced any government who buys it to sign an indemnity agreement which means the drug companies have no responsibility for any side effects.....!

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05:16 August 26, 2009 by lingonberrie

The efficacy of the vaccine is unproven pro and con.

You all should be more worried about the additives that go into all of the food that you eat that are proven to cause all manner of health problems.

No one is being forced to take the flu shot.

Either take the shot and take your chances, or don't take the shot and take your chances.

Adulthood requires that you make decisions.

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08:04 August 26, 2009 by 2fingers

Lingonberrie has a point.... take the shot and take your chances... but before you do - spend a little time and learn as much as you can. There is a big difference between additives in our food etc. and taking a vaccine containing squalene which is banned in the US after it was discovered it was responsible for terrible side effects in Gulf War troops who were forced to take a vaccine containing it...

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/04/Squalene-The-Swine-Flu-Vaccines-Dirty-Little-Secret-Exposed.aspx

http://www.naturalnews.com/026866_swine_flu_flu_vaccine_swine_flu_vaccine.html

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#10

10:21 August 26, 2009 by MTTRN

"......18 million doses of the vaccine when it is ready, enough to cover its population of some 9.3 million people"

A bit of an overkill if I`m honest but since it is going to be free maybe some people will gladly take the shot twice, just in case. Stupidity should and shall be painful.

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