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Novotny: Purchase of A(H1N1) Flu Shots Could Be Overpriced
Monday 30 November 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Kosice, November 30 (TASR) - According to SDKU-DS MP Viliam Novotny, Slovak Health Ministry and Public Health Office (UVZ) fatally underestimated the situation connected to the purchase of A(H1N1) flu vaccine.
"In October, the Health Minister (Richard Rasi) and Slovakia's Chief Public Health Officer Ivan Rovny told the public not to succumb to panic, assured them that everything is under control ... all but for one small detail – as of today there is not a single dose of vaccine in Slovakia," said Novotny, adding that the Ministry should have bought in summer in order for citizens to be inoculated by winter. "Inoculation in January and February, when the flu is already spread, would be useless," he pointed out.
He thinks the Ministry, UVZ and State Material Reserves Administration (responsible for the purchase) underestimated the situation, neglected their responsibilities and that they bear full responsibility for Slovakia's unpreparedness for an epidemic.
"It seems like those in charge are waiting for the right company to sell the vaccines to for the highest price," said Novotny. According to him, the relevant contract is secret, but the Ministry will not have a problem allocating €8 million for prevention.
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