Flu protection; In association with the NHS North of Tyne

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Dec 15, 2008

THE Government has stockpiled enough antiviral drugs to treat pregnant women in the event of a flu pandemic.

A total of 350,000 treatment courses of Relenza have been procured by the Department of Health to treat all pregnant women in a worst-case scenario pandemic.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced plans last year to double the stockpile of another antiviral, Tamiflu, so that 50% of the entire population could be covered in the event of a pandemic.

Tamiflu is not suitable for pregnant women because it can easily pass across the placenta to the developing foetus.

Relenza is inhaled, which means less of it passes to the baby and it is therefore safe to use, a Department of Health spokeswoman said. "Our preparations for a pandemic are on course and the UK is already one of the best-prepared countries in the world," he said. "We can all help to stop the spread of infection by using tissues when we cough and sneeze and washing our hands regularly."