More than a week ago, an issue on Brazilian newspapers caught my attention, the vaccination campaign against swine flu. The formidable influenza A H1N1.
In exactly one year ago the whole world was shocked with the emergence of a new type of virus, many nominating a new variation of the Spanish flu, which then devastated much of the European population.
For a couple of months scientists worked really hard to find a cure for the swine influenza, and as soon as it was released most of the rich countries were keen to ensure the purchase of it for its inhabitants. Even creating discussions between the British government and some countries of the European continent, since the United Kingdom bought twice as many injections required to its population, leaving some without the required number for its people.
However, the strain decreased, most of the acquired injections were not used and the sale of Tamiflu, the medicine used against Influenza A H1N1, stopped almost completely, after making millions of pounds for the pharmaceutical industry Roche.
But, as always, in the tropical country, everything comes a little late, and the fear of contamination is still alive. Last month the Brazilian government started a mass vaccination campaign.
Here across the world, in the northern hemisphere, where everything happens first, the pig flu is news of yesterday. The request for further injections was revoked for various countries of the EC, and the NHS flu line in the UK was cancelled more than two months due to the lack of demand, even with the coldest winter in recent years.
The Brazilian Minister of Health said he hopes to immunize 80% of the population, but is disappointed with the campaing's low adhesion. Perhaps the government believes in the third wave of contamination and wants to ensure that all “tupiniquins” will be immunized by then. Or it may be that our leaders still believe in the old saying "for free, even forehead injection."
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