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Egyptian medics angry over flu vaccine shortage

CAIRO, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Egyptian paramedics said they may refuse to handle cases of suspected bird flu because the government has not given them a flu shot.

Al-Masry Al-Youm reports medics have become upset after being promised the vaccinations would be made available but have yet to be distributed, leaving them at particular risk during flu season.

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A health ministry spokesman said 80,000 people in the medical field have gotten an H1N1 vaccine this year and note there has not been a significant uptick in bird flu cases, meaning the medics are at no more risk than normal.

In response, Al-Masry Al-Youm said medics are skeptical about government reporting on the number of bird flu cases and suspect they're either not properly diagnosing those with the strain or are refusing to make those numbers public.

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