Swine flu vaccination programme begins

GPs will be inviting people in the priority groups to receive the swine flu vaccination in the next few weeks and the programme will run through the autumn.

Frontline NHS and social care staff will also be offered the vaccine to ensure services can be maintained should there be a significant increase in swine flu cases.

The two swine flu vaccines - GSK and Baxter – have been licensed following robust testing.

In addition to frontline health and social care workers, those identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and endorsed by the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies to be priorities for the swine flu vaccination are:

• People aged over six months and under 65 years in current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups;
• All pregnant women;
• Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems e.g. people in regular close contact with patients on treatment for cancer; and
• People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups.

The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Jewell, said it is important that those in the priority groups have the vaccine when invited.

“The swine flu vaccine is the simplest and most effective way of protecting people’s health and will help in our efforts to minimise its impact on individuals and communities.

“It is estimated that there are 750,000 people in the priority groups identified as most at risk of complications from the virus.

“It is important that frontline health and social care workers receive their swine flu vaccine. This will ensure we are able to maintain effective services should there be a big increase in the number of cases.

“Those people with underlying health conditions or pregnant women are most at risk of complications even though most get over the virus safely. I would encourage them to get the vaccine when they receive their invite from their GP. People don’t need to call their GP to arrange for the vaccine straight away as their GPs will be making arrangements to contact them.

“Most people who are given the GSK vaccine will only require one injection but children aged 6 months to 9 years, and those who are severely immunocompromised will require two doses, three weeks apart. All those who have the Baxter vaccine will require two jabs, three weeks apart.

“Batches of the vaccines will be arriving weekly and we hope to have completed the high risk groups and frontline workers by the end of this year.

“For those who are healthy, swine flu remains mild, and people should get better within five to seven days with paracetamol, plenty of fluids and rest.”