Six diagnostic laboratories of the Chennai Corporation will administer A(H1N1) flu vaccine. While the laboratory at Valluvar Kottam will start administering the vaccine from Sunday, the facilities in Saidapet, Choolai, Perambur, Thiruvanmiyur and on EVR High Road will start the exercise on Monday, Mayor M. Subramanian announced on Saturday.
The vaccine would be made available at a subsidised cost, similar to the arrangement at King Institute of Preventive Medicine, Guindy.
According to Corporation Health Officer P. Kuganantham, the Adyar, Kodambakkam, Kilpauk and Pulianthope zones in Chennai are reporting more cases of A(H1N1) flu. Over 1,400 slum areas in the city are vulnerable. Last year, 99 per cent of the cases were from the airport.
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Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam said Chennai, Coimbatore and Vellore have reported more cases of A(H1N1). “Most of the cases of death were caused due to negligence of private hospitals in the initial stage of infection. Steps are being taken to create awareness among private hospitals,” he said.
Meanwhile, a G.O. to provide the vaccine free of cost to families below poverty line was issued on Saturday. A certificate from the Village Administrative Officer will suffice to avail of this facility.