Due to the threat of the Astrav nuclear power plant potassium iodide tablets It will be distributed to residents of Vilnius city in pharmacies, the Ministry of Health (SAM) announced on Wednesday.
The ministry had instructed the municipalities to issue potassium iodide through townships or other acceptable methods, but the capital city municipality decided that it is more convenient to organize their distribution through pharmacies.
"In July, we proposed to the ministry to distribute through pharmacies. The Ministry agreed to do this, but later changed its mind (…). Now the ministry has agreed to cooperate and is helping to do what we suggested," BNS said Vilnius city municipalities director of administration Povilas Poderskis.
At the moment, the tablets intended for Vilnius residents have been returned to SAM, the Center for Extreme Health Situations will check whether their packages have not been damaged and, if no damage is found, the tablets will be distributed to residents of the city of Vilnius through pharmacies.
SAM has handed over 100 million to sixteen municipalities located 4 kilometers from the Astrav nuclear power plant in Belarus. potassium iodide tablets.
Municipalities were recommended to issue potassium iodide for personal storage of residents, or to store tablets intended for them in such a way that in the event of a nuclear accident, they could be distributed to residents within two to three hours.
Municipalities were also asked to calculate the need for stable iodine preparations for permanent residents in their territory for a two-day iodine enrichment course.
According to the SAM report, a single daily dose of potassium iodide tablets protects the thyroid gland from exposure to radioactive iodine for 24 hours.
A single daily dose of potassium iodide is recommended for newborns up to one month, pregnant and lactating women, and people over 60 years of age.
For other groups of the population, in the event of an unfavorable emergency situation (prolonged release of radioactive substances into the environment, there is no possibility to safely evacuate people, etc.), it may be recommended to take a second daily dose of potassium iodide the next day.
It is not recommended to use this medicine for more than two days.
In case of prolonged possible exposure to radioactive iodine, other actions must be taken - people are evacuated from dangerous areas or temporarily moved to live in safe areas.
SAM claims that residents potassium iodide tablets should be carried with you, like other necessary personal items, and should be purchased at a pharmacy if lost. The tablets could only be used in the event of a nuclear disaster on the recommendation of the Government or the Ministry of Health.
