Swine flu jabs for under-fives begin (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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First vaccinations will be given before end of year
4:20pm Tuesday 22nd December 2009 in News By Claire Lomax
Dr Peter Dickson
Children between the ages of six months and five years are starting to be vaccinated against swine flu by GPs in Bradford and Airedale.
Children in this age group – of which there are 37,000 across the district – are particularly vulnerable to severe illness as a result of swine flu and are more likely to need hospital treatment if they catch the illness. There have also been some deaths.
Dr Peter Dickson, medical director for NHS Bradford and Airedale, said: “Vaccination is the best way of protecting your child and those close to them against infection by preventing the spread of the virus.
“This vaccine has been well-tested, is safe and the balance of risks for someone considering swine flu immunisation is strongly in favour of having the vaccine.
“We are working closely with GP practices to make sure all eligible children are given the swine flu jab as soon as possible.
“Our GPs are very keen to help us to make sure this priority group are protected and we are currently working hard with them to finalise the details of a robust system which will be up and running in the Bradford district before Christmas.
“We are also in discussions with our Local Medical Committee, health visitors and district nurses.”
Parents and carers will be contacted in the near future to invite them to have their children immunised between December and February.
e-mail: claire.lomax@telegraphandargus.co.uk
Joedavid says...
5:31pm Tue 22 Dec 09
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"Who will be a priority for vaccination with the H1N1 swine flu vaccine?
People who are most at risk from swine flu need to be vaccinated first. These groups are, in order of priority:
•People aged between six months and 65 years in the seasonal flu vaccine at-risk groups.
•All pregnant women.
•People who live with those whose immune systems are compromised, such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.
•People aged 65 and over in the seasonal flu vaccine at-risk groups.
•Young children aged between six months and five years. "