Editor,

This serves as a clarification to the article entitled "TRAC Plus on nationwide flu study” by Tony BARIGYE, which was published in The New Times issue N˚1906, page 4, on September 11, 2009.

In that article, it was stated that TRAC Plus has embarked on a country-wide program aimed at collecting data to identify types of seasonal influenza prevalent amongst Rwandan population, and that the move will be followed by the procurement of required vaccines.

First of all, it is true that we are collecting data to identify types of seasonal influenza viruses prevalent amongst Rwandan population in six sentinel-surveillance sites.

Secondly, the primary aim of this surveillance is not the procurement of required vaccines in Rwanda. The main objectives of influenza surveillance in Rwanda are to contribute to the International Network on Influenza by providing information on types of influenza, which allows them to determine which kind of Influenza for which a vaccine needs to be produced.

But more importantly, the sentinel sites serve as an early warning system to identify new influenza viruses like the currently pandemic H1N1.

Of note, to date, no such virus was detected in Rwanda. However, the World Health Organization is committed to make available to Rwanda (and other countries) a limited supply of H1N1 vaccine in the coming months.

There are no plans for immunization against seasonal influenza.

Prof. Michael Kramer,
Director General-TRAC Plus