Guantanamo Bay detainees to be offered H1N1 vaccine, risks cited

With a U.S. government assessment that Guantanamo Bay detainees are at high risk of contracting the H1N1 swine flu virus, the Pentagon announced its intention to provide them with access to the vaccine.

One of the greatest concerns over the H1N1 swine flu pandemic has been found in the shortage of vaccine dosages worldwide. As the virus becomes more widespread, moving widely through 48 states and having killed 114 children since its initial appearance in April, U.S. health officials are grappling with more requests for vaccine doses. Children, pregnant women, and populations with underlying health problems remain the primary targets for the aggressive swine flu virus. However, a U.S. government assessment claims that Guantanamo Bay detainees are at high risk of contracting the virus - and on Friday the Pentagon announced its plans to offer the detainees the vaccine. The decision raises questions on the priorities that are put on vaccine distribution, given the clear demographic preference the H1N1 bug has demonstrated to date. "Detainees at JTF Guantanamo are considered to be at higher risk and therefore they will be offered the H1N1 vaccination," said Major Diana R. Haynie, a spokeswoman for Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay. It was unclear when the vaccine was expected to arrive at the base. According to the CDC, there have been 2,916 deaths and 25,985 hospitalizations associated with "Influenza and Pneumonia Syndrome" from August 30 through October 24 in the U.S. alone. There were 19 pediatric deaths associated with H1N1 swine flu in the past week - measured October 18-24. There have been no published indications that males held in captivity - in any prison-like setting worldwide - are at higher risk than the general population.