GPs deal on Swine Flu vaccination

People in the ‘at risk' groups for swine flu will be able to receive their vaccinations against the virus at their local doctors' surgery, thanks to an agreement made this week (Tuesday 15 September, 2009).

A deal has been reached between the Department of Health, General Practitioners Committee (GPC) of the British Medical Association (BMA) and NHS Employers, which means the planned swine flu vaccination programme will be administered by family doctors across the country for people in the initial ‘at risk' groups.

If you are in one of the following categories, you are in the ‘at risk' groups for swine flu, and will be given the vaccination as a priority:

1. People between six months and 65 years old in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups;

2. Pregnant women, subject to licensing conditions on trimesters. The EMeA license will indicate whether the vaccine can be given to all pregnant women or whether it should only be offered at certain stages of pregnancy;

3. People who live with those whose immune systems are compromised, such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS;

4. People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups.

Front line health and social care workers will also be offered the vaccine. This is because they are both at an increased risk of catching swine flu and of spreading it to other at-risk patients, and their families.

Peter Hayward, Flu Director for West Sussex Primary Care Trust, said, "This is great news for everyone in Sussex. We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone in the at risk groups to be able to access the vaccination when it becomes available, and this goes a long way to achieving that goal. It will mean people in the ‘at risk' groups across the county will be able to receive the vaccine in the familiar surroundings of their own doctors' surgery.

"The number of people being treated for swine flu is relatively low at the moment in Sussex, but that does not mean we should be complacent. We know we must prepare for a likely rise in cases in the autumn or winter, and our work is well underway. But it is also important that everyone does their bit, both to protect themselves and others. The vaccine is the best line of defence against the virus and we strongly urge all of those in the ‘at risk' groups to make sure you receive it."

It is expected the swine flu vaccination programme will begin in the autumn, subject to the vaccine being licensed.

In the meantime if you are in one of the ‘at risk' groups and want to know more, or have concerns about the vaccine, please contact your GP for advice.

However, it is important to remember this is not the regular seasonal flu vaccine. If you are in a priority group for the regular seasonal flu vaccination you should receive that as normal.

www.westsussexpct.nhs.uk

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