11 Centers Set up for H1N1 Shots in Riyadh

In its ongoing fight to contain the deadly swine flu virus, the Ministry of Health announced Monday the names of 11 primary healthcare centers (PHC) here where people can get the vaccination.

The announcement comes two days after Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Rabeah launched the national swine flu vaccination program, which initially targets pilgrims from within the Kingdom and health care and security personnel who are assigned to work during Haj.

Hisham Nazar, Director-General of the PHC for the Riyadh Region, said pilgrims can receive A-H1N1 vaccination shots by visiting any of the designated PHCs located in districts including: Al-Solaimanya, Ameer Muhammad Bin Saud Al-Kabeer, Al-Darayeeah, Al-Nahda, Al-Rawabi, Al-Otaiga, Dar Al-Baidah, Al-Shifa, Al-Oraija (West), Swaidi and Al-Marghab. The name A-H1N1 is the scientific term for the virus.

The PHCs will be open for vaccination from 8 A.M. to 12 noon and 4.30 P.M. to 12 midnight. “The initial target are those people going for Haj from Riyadh City,” he said. The PHCs have been instructed to administer the vaccine to a group of 10 people at a time. Each vial contains enough vaccine for 10 persons, he said.

However, Dr. Khalid Al-Marghalani, the ministry’s spokesperson, said that although the ministry is initially focusing on citizens and residents going for Haj, there is a lot of interest from others who want to be vaccinated against the A-H1N1 virus.

However, he urged the home countries of pilgrims to take all possible precautions, including administering swine flu shots.

The pilgrimage attracts some three million people from 160 countries annually and is expected to start on Nov. 25.