Despite the Ministry of Health's assertion that no side effects were reported from over 60,000 people vaccinated against swine flu, the general response to the vaccination campaign is still lukewarm. The Ministry of Health has renewed efforts to make the swine flu vaccine available from Saturday at all primary health centers (PHCs) across the Kingdom. Earlier, 11 PHCs in Riyadh were designated as locations for swine flu vaccination. However, many Saudis and foreign expatriates are still reluctant to get a swine flu shot, most of them expressing concerns about the vaccine's side effects. Abdullah Eidan, a Saudi national, who was at a PHC in Riyadh for other health reasons, said he would get a swine flu shot only if he could be assured that there would be no side effects. “I am healthy now and as usual I am taking all possible precautions to avoid catching a common cold. However, I still question the safety of the swine flu vaccine and thus have not decided to get the shot,” he said. Mohammed Shaker, an Egyptian, said that despite news reports in the media about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine, he was reluctant to have his family vaccinated. “I have not made up my mind about swine flu shots,” he said. Aminul Islam, a Bangladeshi national, said he did not know about the swine flu vaccination campaign. “However, if it is necessary, then I will get the vaccine,” he said. Amjad Khan, a Pakistani, said he will get the shots when they become available at the PHC in his area. “I don't have any fears since the Ministry of Health has already declared that the vaccine is safe,” he said. The National Swine Flu Campaign was launched on Nov. 7 when the Kingdom focused on the vaccination of around 500,000 people including pilgrims and healthcare staff assigned to work during Haj. To instill confidence in people, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeah, Minister of Health, and his eight-year-old daughter Hana Al-Rabeah were the first to receive H1N1 shots at the launch of the campaign in the capital. “I was vaccinated today and my daughter also got a swine flu shot, and we strongly recommend everybody to do the same,” the health minister said at the time. The Ministry of Health has decided to inoculate people of all ages as the Kingdom has reported 15,500 swine flu cases to date including 124 deaths. Dr. Khalid Al-Marghalani, ministry spokesperson, said the health ministry is intensifying the swine flu campaign and expanding it to cover people of all age groups. He said the third wave of swine flu might be more severe than the first two. Media reports quoted health ministry officials as saying that the number of those who have received swine flu vaccinations constitute 0.025 percent of the Kingdom's 27 million population. Al-Marghalani attempted to allay people's concerns saying that the swine flu vaccine's side effects are no different from those of other vaccines administered to people during their childhood. He urged parents to give consent for their children to be vaccinated. There is no reason for parents to worry as the ministry has given assurances that the H1N1 vaccine is just like other seasonal flu shots, he said.
