Hungarians balk at flu vaccine

Hungary has not yet benefited from the delay that the favourable autumn weather has given as regards the spread of the H1N1 flu virus, national head doctor Ferenc Falus said in an interview with nol.hu on Sunday.

Falus said only 3% of the population have been inoculated, when 60% would be the optimum percentage for effective prevention. Defence against the flu is impeded by an anti-vaccination drive, for the most part based on false beliefs and a lack of trust, he added.

Hungarian authorities meanwhile said they are prepared to deliver 10,000 vaccines to Ukraine after President Viktor Yushchenko announced at the weekend that 48 people had died of the flu in the neighbouring country, while tens of thousands were suffering from viral respiratory diseases.

Hungarian customs guards and border police at the Ukrainian frontier are now wearing mouth masks and nylon gloves.

Some 73% of respondents to an MTV-commissioned Szonda Ipsos poll said they do not want to be inoculated: 86% of those aged 18-39 rejected vaccination, while 78% of Fidesz supporters were against the idea. The survey was conducted by telephone on 500 adults last Friday.

The Hungarian Red Cross is launching a donations drive for anti-fever pills, antibiotics, any anti-flu medicines, vitamins and masks, to help those in the mostly Hungarian-inhabited villages in Ukraine.

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