In Europe, an orderly approach helps to smooth flow of flu shots
Published: November 7, 2009
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Frank Augstein / associated press Joseph Hartstein receives a swine flu vaccination at a local health authority in Dusseldorf, Germany.
LONDON - In Britain, there are no long lines of people seeking swine flu vaccine. Doctors' offices aren't swamped with desperate calls. And there are no cries of injustice that the vaccine is going to wealthy corporations or healthy people who don't really need it.
In England and across most of Europe, vaccine to protect against the pandemic flu is mostly given by invitation only to those at highest risk for flu complications.
"That is one of the great advantages of the British health system," said Dr. Steve Field, president of the Royal College of General Physicians. "We have a list of all the names of patients who qualify to be vaccinated."
When Britain unrolled its pandemic vaccination program last month, it designed its campaign to ensure that priority groups - including pregnant women, health workers and those with chronic health problems like diabetes, cancer and AIDS - get the shots first.
Instead of advertising that vaccine had arrived and waiting for the lines to form, Britain's National Health Service sent letters inviting those who qualify to make an appointment and get the shots first.
Similar programs are being carried out in other European countries:
-âIn Germany, doctors have also been contacting high-priority patients to come in for their swine flu shot, though other people who have asked for one have not been turned away.
-âIn Sweden, Denmark and Finland, some local governments are sending invitations to people in high-risk groups or posting information about vaccine availability on their Web sites.
-âSo far, France is vaccinating only health care workers. Its health minister said 6 million people in priority groups would start getting invitations to be vaccinated next week.
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