Individuals in at risk groups and younger children urged to take up their swine

Because of the sharp decline in cases of the H1N1 swine flu virus the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) was stood down on Thursday last week, February 11 - both web and telephone services of the NPFS have been discontinued.

Anyone with flu symptoms should now contact their GP in the first instance for advice. A number of designated pharmacies across Herefordshire will continue to hand out antivirals on prescription from clinicians.

The virus may not be around at the moment but it could come back; it may cause serious illness in individuals in at risk groups with underlying medical conditions and in younger children, and may cause death.

“If that happens, it will be from a vaccine preventable illness. It’s vital, therefore, that those in at risk groups receive vaccinations to protect them against the illness,” said Dr Akeem Ali, Herefordshire’s Director of Public Health who has steered the county’s response to swine flu.

“Even though the number of swine flu cases are low in the county, the continuing potential threat is still there and I urge all those who fall into the at risk groups to ensure they have the vaccine when they are offered it,” added Dr Ali.

He particularly urges the parents of children aged six months to under five years of age to have them vaccinated as they are particularly at a higher risk of developing serious complications if they contract swine flu.

The first phase of the swine flu vaccination programme was launched in September 2009, and involved offering it to those aged six months and over in the at risk groups with underlying medical conditions – a total of 12,936 received vaccination in the first phase in Herefordshire.

The vaccine has also been offered to frontline health and social care workers – to date 1,775 have received the vaccination in Herefordshire.

The second phase was launched in December 2009 and involves offering vaccine to children aged between six months to under five. So far 257 children in this age group have received their vaccination.

Both phases of the swine flu vaccination programme will continue until September 2010.