(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne says that influenza vaccine can be provided if specialist doctors decide to use the vaccine as a treatment for the fever spreading in the South.
The Minister said that with the recommendation from a committee of specialists and the approval of the National Drug Regulatory Authority steps will be taken to provide the influenza vaccine to the hospitals.
The Minister said although the politicians and the media urged to provide the vaccine to prevent the spread of the viral disease it is not scientific and the vaccine can be provided after the doctors decide on the basis of a scientific background.
Minister Senaratne made these remarks participating in the Provincial Health Ministers’ Conference on Thursday at the National Blood Center in Narahenpita.
He said the President has given a special approval to buy drugs and other equipment needed to treat the viral fever spreading in the South. He added that all the necessary measures at the ministerial level to control the disease will be implemented.
He recalled that when dengue was spreading various individuals influenced to purchase the vaccine for dengue from Singapore but he did not give the approval and later the World health Organization informed that the vaccine was not suitable.
