Radio Netherlands Worldwide Dutch Health Minister Ab Klink has asked an independent body to conduct an investigation into how the Dutch government handled the H1N1 epidemic (known in the Netherlands as Mexican flu).
The investigation will look into the government’s approach to the vaccination programme. It will also examine whether Mr Klink’s decision to buy enough vaccines to inoculate the whole population twice was necessary. In the end only the elderly, people with chronic illnesses and children under-five received vaccinations.
The H1N1 pandemic turned out to be less severe than feared. Most people suffered relatively mild symptoms. Worldwide there were more than 5000 deaths and in the Netherlands just over 50 people died. The study is to be completed at the end of this year.
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