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66% of swine flu vaccines unused Unused swine flu jabs cost £40m
(10 minutes later)
The Department of Health in Northern Ireland still has half a million swine flu vaccines which remain unused.The Department of Health in Northern Ireland still has half a million swine flu vaccines which remain unused.
In mid-January, there were more than 60% of the vaccines left which cost more than £61m to supply. In mid-January, there were more than 60% of the vaccines left which cost at least £40m to supply.
But a member of the British Medical Association said whilst lessons can be learned but it was better to have too many, than too few vaccines. But a member of the British Medical Association said whilst lessons can be learned, it was better to have too many than too few vaccines.
Dr Tom Black said swine flu no longer posed a threat - therefore, lives have been saved.Dr Tom Black said swine flu no longer posed a threat - therefore, lives have been saved.
There have been 18 deaths related to swine flu in Northern Ireland.There have been 18 deaths related to swine flu in Northern Ireland.
There are still about 500,000 doses of the vaccine which have not been used. The majority of those are still held centrally and not distributed to surgeries.There are still about 500,000 doses of the vaccine which have not been used. The majority of those are still held centrally and not distributed to surgeries.
The health minister has insisted that all decisions related to the virus were taken after scientific advice.The health minister has insisted that all decisions related to the virus were taken after scientific advice.
Michael McGimpsey agreed with fellow executive ministers in December that he would need £61m to combat the threat of the virus.Michael McGimpsey agreed with fellow executive ministers in December that he would need £61m to combat the threat of the virus.
It is understood that figure is being re-evaluated and an updated bid will be supplied to the Department of Finance in February.It is understood that figure is being re-evaluated and an updated bid will be supplied to the Department of Finance in February.
ReviewReview
The evaluation comes as health chiefs around the world assess their reaction to the global outbreak.The evaluation comes as health chiefs around the world assess their reaction to the global outbreak.
The death rate from those suffering from the virus in the UK was low, at 0.026%. In addition, hundreds of thousands of people are thought to have been infected but not displayed any symptoms.The death rate from those suffering from the virus in the UK was low, at 0.026%. In addition, hundreds of thousands of people are thought to have been infected but not displayed any symptoms.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already announced it will review its handling of the pandemic.The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already announced it will review its handling of the pandemic.
Council of Europe Health Committee Chairman Dr Wolfgang Wodarg has been one of the most vocal critics.Council of Europe Health Committee Chairman Dr Wolfgang Wodarg has been one of the most vocal critics.
He has said experts have been unduly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, and questioned whether a virus that proved to be so mild could really be classed as a pandemic.He has said experts have been unduly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, and questioned whether a virus that proved to be so mild could really be classed as a pandemic.
However Mr McGimpsey pointed to the fact that the WHO had called Dr Wodarg's comments "irresponsible" and said his department's response was guided by the "best scientific advice available in the UK".However Mr McGimpsey pointed to the fact that the WHO had called Dr Wodarg's comments "irresponsible" and said his department's response was guided by the "best scientific advice available in the UK".