Turkey in talks with drugmakers to give swine flu vaccines back

Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdağ said on Tuesday that Turkey had ordered 43 million doses last year but bought some 17 million doses of it.

"We have held talks with manufacturers to give a significant part back," Akdağ said. "However, we will keep 2-3 million doses in reserves for emergencies."

In January, Akdağ had said the pandemic H1N1 infection killed over 600 people in Turkey this winter, adding, "swine flu pandemic has almost petered out in Turkey."

The number of deaths caused by swine flu was 415 in Turkey as of mid-December when health ministry officials last announced the number of deaths.

Akdağ reiterated that the pandemic was almost over. He said a second pandemic wave could be expected in autumn but it would not be a widespread one.

"We are about to close deals (with manufacturer companies) for buying back," Akdağ said.