by W. Diane Van Zwol

Created on: November 15, 2009

Is there a Problem Regarding Global Distribution of the H1N1 Vaccines?

Can you imagine the complexity of trying to give everyone in the world, anything?

Trying to do this, would be comparable to the kinds of problems faced by those who are attempting to distribute new H1N1 vaccines, to aid in global infection control.

This is not just a matter of handing someone something, like a piece of paper or a penny.

Medical professionals have to administer these H1N1 vaccines to individuals. It is only possible, one injection at a time. This is a time consuming process, involving many dedicated people, on a number of different levels.

Several major problems, those who are distributing the new H1N1 vaccines have faced and will encounter further, have to do with the shortage of health care professionals all around the world, at the same time as a global economic decline.

In other words, there may not be enough professionally trained people to administer the vaccines, even where the governments of various countries of the world are able to assist with the cost of the distribution and administration of the H1N1 vaccines. Medical professionals may have to come from other regions, so coordination of professional health care efforts, will be important.

Remote areas of the globe may prove to be hard to reach or virtually inaccessible, at certain times of the year and thus ensuring that these areas receive the H1N1 vaccines immediately, may prove difficult. This is not something new or different for health care professionals. At the same time, there may be a high incidence of the H1N1 flu, in some of these areas, particularly during certain times of the year.

Remoteness and inaccessibility of certain areas, are only two serious concerns that medical professionals deal with all of the time.

Hygiene may be another issue that anyone who enters an area to administer H1N1 vaccines, may have to contend with, if or when they are able to get them there. In other words, they may put their own lives at risk, by entering into these areas. They may also have to contend with disease entities, like HIV, tuberculosis or malaria. Health care professionals have dealt with these kinds of issues again and again, over the years.

Culture and language barriers could be two huge problems. These will not be unique to the H1N1 vaccine distribution program either.

Will the government of every country comprehend the importance of the H1N1 vaccine distribution and administration? There may be

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