Swine Flu Epidemic Nationwide
Image: YLE
The H1N1 swine flu has reached epidemic proportions nationwide. As of Thursday, 2940 cases had been confirmed, but estimates are that tens of thousands of people have contracted the disease.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is now recommending that employers be more lenient than normal in granting leaves of absences due to illness. This, it says, will help in focussing health care resources on swine flu patients and the vaccination programme.
Most cases of the swine flu in Finland are relatively mild, although certain groups, such as people with serious pre-existing medical conditions, are at risk. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health reported Thursday that slightly more people are expected to come down with the H1N1 virus than is normal for seasonal flu viruses.
So far, the vaccination programme has provided protection to healthcare sector workers and pregnant women. Finland ordered 5.3 million doses of the vaccine last summer. A total of 794,000 doses have been delivered and the remainder is arriving at a rate of around 200,000 doses a week.
Problems with distribution and providing vaccinations have mainly stemmed from the vaccine arriving in small shipments, which has meant that local authorities have been made aware of availability only a few days before delivery. Also, some local authorities have been taken by surprise by the large numbers of people seeking swine flu shots.
Medical Staff Overworked
The swine flu vaccination programme has severely strained medical personnel resources.
At some sites, nurses are reported to be vaccinating up to 250 patients a day while also dealing with inquires from the public.
In some areas large numbers of retired nurses, as well as nursing and medical student have been called in to help over-worked regular staff.
YLE