Flu vaccine plan announced

Monday August 17th, 2009

Some 13 million people will be offered the swine flu vaccine as soon as possible, British ministers have announced.

Frontline health staff and social care workers will be vaccinated at the same time as the most vulnerable patients, according to the plan.

The most vulnerable patients are said to be those aged over six months and under the age of 65 with a serious chronic disease such as severe asthma, heart disease and kidney disease.

After these have been vaccinated, pregnant women will be a priority - followed by household contacts of people with weakened immune systems.

The fourth group to receive the vaccine will be pensioners over the age of 65 with chronic conditions that place them at risk from flu.

The department of health said healthy over-65s would not receive vaccination as they seemed already to have natural immunity.

The department said it was acting on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies.

Health secretary Andy Burnham said the government was still working with the British Medical Association on an implementation plan.

He said: "Although the virus has so far proved to be mild in most people, for others it has been more serious. By vaccinating high risk groups first, we aim to protect those most vulnerable to this virus.

"Our decisions at all times are based on advice from the most eminent specialists, and this will continue to be the case as we go forward."

Tags: Flu & Viruses | NHS | UK News

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