11 December 2009 / TODAY'S ZAMAN WITH WIRES, İSTANBUL
Turkish health officials reported yesterday that the number of people who have died from the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, is now 353 nationwide. According to the Health Ministry, 121 people who died from the swine flu, or 35 percent of total deaths, were below the age of 50.
Three-hundred six people were being treated at hospitals, with 98 of them in intensive care units, and 102 patients have been put on medical ventilators, the ministry said. While stressing that the most effective way to protect against the virus is by receiving the vaccination, the ministry recalled that one can receive the shot at local public health centers and hospitals free of charge.
Noting that there is an adjuvant-free vaccine specifically for pregnant women, the ministry announcement said: “Vaccinating pregnant women, citizens between 6 months and 50 years of age and citizens who are above the age of 50 and have a chronic disease still continues. It is of crucial importance that children under 10 years of age who have received a dose remember to get the second dose of the vaccine three weeks after they received the first one.”
