Beijing orders 1st batch of A/H1N1 flu vaccine

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Play VideoChina´s flu vaccine production begins

Work continues on a vaccine for the A/H1N1 flu the Beijing Disease prevention and Control Centre has ordered the first batch of a vaccine from domestic producer Beijing Sinovac Biotech.

The doses will be enough to immunize 5-million people.

Health officials say it will first be offered free to priority target groups such as children and the elderly, and people who work in public sectors such as transportation and railway departments.

The vaccine is expected to hit the market this August. Local authorities say two doses of vaccine will be offered to each person of the target groups between August and November, noting that 28 days is needed between each dose.

In addition, a vaccine for seasonal flu will also be offered free to elderly people and children.

The municipality of Beijing has also earmarked more than 550-million yuan for medicine and vaccine storage, including Tamiflu.

Work continues on a vaccine for the A/H1N1 flu the Beijing Disease prevention and Control Centre has ordered the first batch of a vaccine from domestic producer Beijing Sinovac Biotech. (CCTV.com)