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BMC starts free swine flu vaccination for pregnant women

According to doctors, senior citizens and children, especially those below two years, and pregnant women are in the high-risk category as they have less immunity.

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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started free H1N1 vaccination for pregnant women who are in their third trimester. According to experts, pregnant women fall in the high-risk category.

"Six to nine months pregnant women can come to ward number 19 at Kasturba hospital and get themselves vaccinated between 11am and 4pm. This is a pilot project. Seeing the response, we will start a similar service at our maternity homes in eastern and western suburbs," said Dr Mini Khetrapal, epidemiology in-charge in the BMC.

She said that presently the BMC has 200 doses of H1N1 vaccine. "Influenza vaccination will bring down the morbidity and mortality rate in people with diabetes and hypertension," said Dr Subhash Salunkhe. He has been appointed as the chairman of the Maharashtra Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Technical Committee.

According to doctors, senior citizens and children, especially those below two years, and pregnant women are in the high-risk category as they have less immunity.

"To rein in swine flu infection, we need to look towards prevention. Those who are at high risk and are living in areas seeing more swine flu cases should get vaccinated. It will protect them from the infection for 12 months," said noted infectious disease expert from South Mumbai Dr Om Shrivastav.

Experts say getting vaccinated when the virus is at its peak doesn't help. Earlier this year, when the disease was at its peak, people were going for vaccination and there was acute shortage.

Dr Mandar Kubal from Infectious Diseases & Pulmonary Care, Chembur, said, "Especially those with co-morbid factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, and liver, heart and kidney diseases, should get themselves vaccinated before the start of the season."

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