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Swine flu jags to begin in autumn | Swine flu jags to begin in autumn |
(20 minutes later) | |
A vaccination programme against swine flu is to get under way in the autumn, Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has announced. | A vaccination programme against swine flu is to get under way in the autumn, Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has announced. |
About 1.4 million people, including the elderly, front-line health workers and pregnant women, are to be given the vaccine first. | About 1.4 million people, including the elderly, front-line health workers and pregnant women, are to be given the vaccine first. |
A similar campaign is to be carried out in England and Wales at the same time. | A similar campaign is to be carried out in England and Wales at the same time. |
The Scottish Government said the number of confirmed cases of swine flu in Scotland fell for a second week. | |
Licensing decisions on the H1NI vaccine are expected at the end of September or beginning of October. | Licensing decisions on the H1NI vaccine are expected at the end of September or beginning of October. |
If approved, the first vaccinations will take place shortly afterwards. | If approved, the first vaccinations will take place shortly afterwards. |
The vaccine will be offered to people with chronic illnesses, including diabetes. | The vaccine will be offered to people with chronic illnesses, including diabetes. |
Anyone sharing a house with someone who suffers chronic disease could also be vaccinated. | Anyone sharing a house with someone who suffers chronic disease could also be vaccinated. |
Ms Sturgeon said: "At this stage, and this is subject to change, we anticipate being able to commence the vaccination programme some time in the middle of October." | Ms Sturgeon said: "At this stage, and this is subject to change, we anticipate being able to commence the vaccination programme some time in the middle of October." |
Specialist treatment | Specialist treatment |
The Scottish Government has said it will secure enough vaccine for the whole population - but early supply will be limited. | The Scottish Government has said it will secure enough vaccine for the whole population - but early supply will be limited. |
The impact of children returning to school will also be monitored. | The impact of children returning to school will also be monitored. |
Speaking at a briefing in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said: "We will be working with schools to put a focus on hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene messages in schools. | Speaking at a briefing in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said: "We will be working with schools to put a focus on hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene messages in schools. |
"It remains the case that that's the best way of reducing the spread of infection. | "It remains the case that that's the best way of reducing the spread of infection. |
"Obviously, we will be monitoring carefully the impact of the school going back on the spread of the virus." | "Obviously, we will be monitoring carefully the impact of the school going back on the spread of the virus." |
Health officials estimate that there were about 3,100 new cases of swine flu in Scotland last week, down from 4,300 the previous week. | Health officials estimate that there were about 3,100 new cases of swine flu in Scotland last week, down from 4,300 the previous week. |
Since the start of the outbreak, five people suffering from the condition are known to have died in Scotland, while 10 people are currently in hospital with the virus. | |
Meanwhile, a pregnant woman who was seriously ill with the virus and received specialist treatment in Sweden, is now back in Scotland. | Meanwhile, a pregnant woman who was seriously ill with the virus and received specialist treatment in Sweden, is now back in Scotland. |
However, Sharon Pentleton, 26, from North Ayrshire, remains in intensive care. | However, Sharon Pentleton, 26, from North Ayrshire, remains in intensive care. |