Second batch of H1N1 flu vaccine arrives in Singapore
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 14 November 2009 1932 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Singapore has received its second batch of H1N1 flu vaccine.

The Health Ministry, in an update on its blog, said the batch of 100,000 doses from pharmaceutical company CSL will be available at clinics as early as November 18, once the certification of cold chain assurance is obtained from the drug manufacturer.

Each dose is contained in a pre-filled syringe, which makes it easier for GPs to administer the drug.

The ministry received its first batch of 250,000 doses of the vaccine last month. With the latest delivery, all 277,000 pre-orders from clinics will be met.

The ministry said that as of Friday, the order for pre-filled syringes is around 95,000 doses, of which around 40,000 doses are from clinics which are not designated as Pandemic Preparedness Clinics or flu clinics.

The ministry will also release 50,000 doses from pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline which it had repackaged into smaller quantities of 10 doses per box to make it easier for clinics to place orders.

Another batch of vaccines is expected from Melbourne over the next few days. This will be followed by weekly deliveries until all one million doses are received by mid-December.

- CNA/ir