Beijing keeps current A/H1N1 alert

Health authorities in Beijing have ruled out immediately raising the A/H1N1 flu alert level. They are confident the mass inoculation campaign will minimize risks of a large-scale outbreak of the virus.

Director of Beijing Bureau of health, Fang Laiying, says the capital has reserved 3.3 million doses of A/H1N1 flu vaccine. Five million people will be eligible for the vaccination by mid-December.

She added Beijing will adjust its prevention and containment strategy according to the latest situation. But this does not mean the alert level will be raised.

She notes mass vaccinations should prevent the situation from being as serious as the SARS outbreak during 2003 to 2004.

Experts also stressed caution in taking anti-biotics to treat the flu's symptoms.