Swine flu vaccination begins

A SWINE flu vaccination programme for patients in at-risk categories and frontline healthcare workers across Walsall started this week, with those affected to be notified by their GP.

Pregnant women, those with compromised immune systems (and their families), the elderly and those between six months and 65 years currently in the seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups will be prioritised in the scheme, which began on Wednesday.

The vaccination programme is set to be rolled out over the coming weeks, with GP surgeries receiving deliveries from next Monday.

In England, two million frontline health and social care workers will be offered the vaccine, as they are at increased risk of infection and of transmitting it to susceptible patients. Protecting those key staff will assist them in treating sick patients.

The Pandemrix vaccine, made by GSK, will be offered to the majority of people and most will only need one dose to be given protection.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: "Our best line of defence against swine flu is the vaccine. I'm very pleased to say that the UK is one of the first countries in the world to start vaccinating against this virus."

The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, added: "This is the first pandemic for which we have had vaccine to protect people. I urge everyone in the priority groups to have the vaccine – it will help prevent people in clinical risk groups from getting swine flu and the complications that may arise from it."

Explaining the need to protect health workers in the region, Dr Rashmi Shukla, Regional Director of Public Health, NHS West Midlands, said: "It is very important that frontline health and social care workers in the West Midlands have this vaccine in order to protect themselves, their families and their patients.

"NHS West Midlands has been working closely with all our organisations to ensure that the vaccination delivery programme runs smoothly."