Most of the available vaccines to expire on 08 January, according to Govt figures

The WHO is working onto send the requested doses to continue immunisation drive, Dr Paba Palihawadana, director of health ministry’s epidemiology unit told BBC Sandeshaya.

An immunisation drive has been launched for high-risk groups, including pregnant women, health-care workers and those already suffering from chronic illnesses.

Swine flu injections are known to have a short lifetime and most of the available stock are to expire on 08 January, according to government circulars.

At least 22 people were killed by the outbreak during the last two months, according to government figures.

'Wrong' dengue treatment

The ministry has also issued new guidelines on how better to treat those affected by dengue fever, Ms Palihawadana said.

	Nearly 400,000 people are affected by the floods in the NE

Nearly 235 deaths from dengue outbreak since January is an indication that the treatment methods need to be updated, she said.

Dr. Kolitha Sellaheva, specialist of the Epidemiological Unit, and Jayantha Weeraman paediatrician have told Daily Mirror newspaper on Thursday that the transfusion of blood platelets to dengue patients and keeping them in intensive care were improper treatments which could even result in death.

They said that there were instances of doctors having treated dengue patients in this manner.

Floods update

As many as 400,000 people have now been affected by floods in the East and North in Sri Lanka, authorities say.

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera told BBC Sandeshaya that nearly 2000 homes have been damaged or destroyed after days of heavy rain.

He said the government was providing cooked food and fresh water to affected areas. Relief camps have been set up for people displaced by the floods.