Chennai Corporation on Sunday began administering the A(H1N1) flu vaccine at a rate less than what is being provided at the King Institute for Preventive Medicine, Guindy.
The civic body is charging Rs.100 for the vaccine administered as nasal drops and Rs.200 for injections.
At the Institute, the nasal vaccine costs Rs.150 and the injection Rs.250 each.
On Sunday, the Corporation laboratory near Valluvar Kottam started providing the vaccine and from Monday, five more of its laboratories would also begin administering it. On Sunday, 451 of the 703 persons vaccinated opted for nasal doses.
Mayor M. Subramanian, who launched the vaccination drive, said thefive diagnostic laboratories are on E.V.R. Salai; Thanthai Periyar laboratory, Chellappa Mudali Street, Choolai; near Kalaignar Arch in Saidapet; Kamarajar Avenue, Thiruvanmiyur East; and Testing Centre, opposite Perambur Railway Station.
According to Health Officer P. Kuganantham, the vaccines are being made available to vulnerable groups such as healthcare workers, pregnant mothers, those with bronchial asthma and children suffering from respiratory illnesses.
“Vaccination is not the only method to prevent the infection. Frequent gargling with warm salted water and hand washing, before preparing food and eating is important,” he said.
The civic body has also printed one lakh pamphlets and stickers on the ‘do's and don'ts' pertaining to the flu.
