Swine Flue Vaccine Is Prepared

The Department of Health is continuing its fight against increasing levels of swine flu in Northern Ireland.

A considerable number of new cases were diagnosed last week, underlining the need to bring forward the vaccination programme in a bid to stop the pandemic.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride stated: "At present our level of flu continues to be much higher in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK and is at the highest rate ever recorded here."

Only last week, 119 cases were confirmed - the highest weekly number until now, which represents a 37% increment - and the total sum since the outbreak started is now at 565, with the age category most affected being the 5-14 bracket.

At the moment, six Northern Ireland people have died from swine flue: four in the country and two more victims in England and Spain. In all 280 people have been hospitalized.

"It is essential to start the programme at the earliest opportunity in order to protect those most at risk," Dr McBride commented.

In fact, the first batch of vaccines -11,000 doses - have now been delivered and the the vaccination is starting on 21 October.

After frontline Health and Social Care workers are vaccinated, the 'at-risk' groups will follow.

Dr McBride also thanked the staff for their "tireless efforts and professionalism in meeting increasing pressures".

It has also been reported that an estimated £64m is needed to tackle the virus as its impact grows. Dr McBride said: "It is still difficult to predict the course of the pandemic over the next weeks and months, we can expect rises and falls in rates of flu and we can expect further waves.

"Key to preventing the spread of this virus and protecting the most vulnerable people in our population is the swine flu vaccine."

However, it emerged yesterday that the vaccine Pandemrix - which makes up the bulk of NHS supply - contains a chemical called an adjuvant that has never been tested on pregnant women.

The WHO Strategic Advisory Group said that pregnant women should be given adjuvant-free formulations of the vaccine whenever possible.

But the Department of Health's Director of Immunisations Professor David Salisbury said that even though the NHS has stocks of an alternative vaccine called Celvapan, it will not be prioritised for pregnant women

"We have to make a judgement that says pregnant women are at high risk and they need to be protected," he commented yesterday.

"In those circumstances I would recommend whatever is available to hand to protect them."

See: Mums-In-Wating Get Unproved Flu Jab

(CL/BMcC)