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Pregnant to get swine flu vaccine Pregnant to get swine flu vaccine
(9 minutes later)
A swine flu vaccination campaign will be launched in the autumn starting with pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions.A swine flu vaccination campaign will be launched in the autumn starting with pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions.
In total, 54.6 million doses of pandemic vaccine are planned to be delivered by December.In total, 54.6 million doses of pandemic vaccine are planned to be delivered by December.
Those eligible will need to have two doses of the vaccine.Those eligible will need to have two doses of the vaccine.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Liam Donaldson said the vaccine was going through similar safety testing as seasonal flu vaccine.Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Liam Donaldson said the vaccine was going through similar safety testing as seasonal flu vaccine.
In October, people aged six months to 65-years-old in conventional at-risk groups for normal seasonal flu, such as those with diabetes or heart disease, will be first in line for the vaccine. The vaccine programme is due to roll out as follows:
This will be followed by all pregnant women, subject to licensing arrangements and better information on when in the pregnancy the vaccine should be given.
  • In October, those aged six months to 65-years-old in conventional at-risk groups for normal seasonal flu, such as those with diabetes or heart disease, will be vaccinated.
    • People living in households with patients with suppressed immune systems and those over 65 in conventional at-risk groups will also be eligible.
  • This will be followed by all pregnant women, subject to licensing arrangements and better information on when in the pregnancy the vaccine should be given.
    • By the middle of winter, the government hopes to have enough evidence to decide whether the campaign should be extended to healthy people.
  • People living in households with patients with suppressed immune systems and those over 65 in conventional at-risk groups will then be eligible.
  • By the middle of winter, the government hopes to have enough evidence to decide whether the campaign should be extended to healthy people.
    • So far 300,000 doses of the vaccine have been delivered by the manufacturers, the government said.So far 300,000 doses of the vaccine have been delivered by the manufacturers, the government said.
    For the 2007/08 flu season the Department of Health ordered more than 15 million doses of flu vaccine.For the 2007/08 flu season the Department of Health ordered more than 15 million doses of flu vaccine.
    Falling rates
    The number of people newly diagnosed with swine flu continues to fall, with an estimated 25,000 new cases in England in the last week compared with 30,000 last week.The number of people newly diagnosed with swine flu continues to fall, with an estimated 25,000 new cases in England in the last week compared with 30,000 last week.
    In total, 371 patients are currently in hospital as a result of swine flu and 44 deaths have been linked with the virus.In total, 371 patients are currently in hospital as a result of swine flu and 44 deaths have been linked with the virus.
    Cases are expected to continue falling over the summer with a surge in the autumn after children go back to school.Cases are expected to continue falling over the summer with a surge in the autumn after children go back to school.