Despite shortages in Canada, Afghan detainees to get swine flu vaccine

Taliban detainees to get swine flu vaccine

TORONTO — Taliban detainees in Canadian custody in Afghanistan will receive swine flu vaccinations ahead of the majority of Canadians in Canada, where there is a shortage of the vaccine — a move Canada’s health minister called outrageous.

Task Force Surgeon Cmdr. Rob Briggs said Tuesday detainees being held at Kandahar Airfield will have the opportunity to be vaccinated beginning Wednesday. Canadian soldiers have been receiving the vaccine for more than a week.

Medical staff sought legal advice, and Briggs said they were told that under Geneva Conventions, prisoners of war should receive the same treatment as Canadian soldiers.

Vaccine shortages in Canada have hampered the country’s largest-ever mass vaccination effort, causing long lineups and widespread frustration at clinics.

Maj. Mario Couture, Task Force Kandahar’s senior public affairs officer, said doses of the vaccine being made available to Afghan detainees will come from army stockpiles. He said the military had secured sufficient quantities of the vaccine several months ago and has enough to treat both detainees and soldiers.

“We’ve always said that ensuring Canadians receive the vaccine is a priority. Personally I’m very disturbed by the news, and I can say that we did not make this outrageous decision. I have asked my officials to look into that,” Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said.