By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
From today, drug stores will be able to sell Tamiflu and students are advised to stay home if they show any symptoms of H1N1 influenza A.
The government unveiled the plans as three more died Tuesday apparently from the flu and the number of patients has been rising.
About 4,000 new patients are reported daily. From last Tuesday to Monday, patients were identified in 870 schools.
On Monday alone, five died of what were confirmed to be causes related to the flu. Three more died Tuesday, bringing the total to 28.
Health, Welfare and Family Affairs Minister Jeon Jae-hee and Public Administration and Security Minister Lee Dal-gon issued a joint statement in their war against the epidemic.
Korea has stocks of Tamiflu and anti-viral drugs for 11 percent of its entire population but the ministers said that the stocks will be raised to cover 20 percent by the end of the year.
Vaccinations started Tuesday for doctors, nurses and other staff members gathered at seven general hospitals in downtown Seoul. The staff members filled in questionnaires, had their body temperatures checked and received the shots.
"It was quite scary to take the vaccine since it the first of its kind. We don't know what will happen after," a nurse at Korea University Hospital said. "But I feel responsible because if I contract it, the virus could be transmitted fatally to hundreds of patients."
The vaccination will be available to about 7.5 million elementary, middle and high school students from Nov. 18; and then to infants and pregnant women next month. Soldiers, senior citizens and those suffering from chronic illnesses will get vaccinated from January.
Those who are eligibel to receive vaccinations should call local clinics, designated hospitals and pubic healthcare centers. The vaccine is free of charge except at local clinics, where 15,000 won will be charged.
Health ministry official Choi Hee-ju said Monday that people should pay extra attention to individual hygiene and healthcare.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
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