Health minister Ab Klink has set up an independent investigation into the Netherlands’ response to the swine flu epidemic.

The inquiry will look at all aspects of the way the country dealt with the virus. In particular it will focus on the vaccination programme.
Klink ordered 34 million doses of vaccine, enough to vaccinate everyone twice, on the recommendation of the national health council. But much of the vaccine was not used as the epidemic petered out.
In January, it emerged the health ministry is trying to sell some 19 million doses of vaccine which are surplus to requirements.
So far 57 people have died of swine flu in the Netherlands and around 2,200 have been admitted to hospital.