20/07/2009
Swine Flu Measures In Focus
NI's top medical officer is to outline later how Northern Ireland will cope with an escalation in swine flu.
At the same time as his plans are unveiled locally, news of a national swine flu advice service are being announced by the UK Health Secretary Andy Burnham in London.
MPs are being updated on the National Pandemic Flu Service in England which is due to go live this week.
As Mr Burnham outlines his programme to tackle the developing medical crisis - amid criticism and government in-fighting - Dr Michael McBride will also be issuing an update in Northern Ireland.
Last week, the top NI medic said that the worst case scenario was 1,800 deaths - a figure he stressed was "not a prediction".
It was also recently announced that a swine flu vaccination programme is due to begin in September.
However, vaccines will be delivered on a phased basis and it is believed that prioritisation will be necessary.
Meanwhile, part of the national swine flu confusion has come from government advice to pregnant women .
This includes avoiding crowds and unnecessary travel because they have a greater risk of contracting the virus.
See: Swine Flu Phone Service Revealed
(BMcC)
At the same time as his plans are unveiled locally, news of a national swine flu advice service are being announced by the UK Health Secretary Andy Burnham in London.
MPs are being updated on the National Pandemic Flu Service in England which is due to go live this week.
As Mr Burnham outlines his programme to tackle the developing medical crisis - amid criticism and government in-fighting - Dr Michael McBride will also be issuing an update in Northern Ireland.
Last week, the top NI medic said that the worst case scenario was 1,800 deaths - a figure he stressed was "not a prediction".
It was also recently announced that a swine flu vaccination programme is due to begin in September.
However, vaccines will be delivered on a phased basis and it is believed that prioritisation will be necessary.
Meanwhile, part of the national swine flu confusion has come from government advice to pregnant women .
This includes avoiding crowds and unnecessary travel because they have a greater risk of contracting the virus.
See: Swine Flu Phone Service Revealed
(BMcC)
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