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NI school pupils to get swine jab NI children to get swine flu jab
(10 minutes later)
The swine flu vaccination programme is to be extended to all school children in Northern Ireland. The swine flu vaccination programme is to be extended to all children in Northern Ireland.
The Department of Health has said it intends to roll out the programme within the next fortnight. The Department of Health has said it intends to begin rolling out the programme by mid-December.
More than 300,000 children will receive the vaccine, which will be administered in schools.More than 300,000 children will receive the vaccine, which will be administered in schools.
The next phase of the vaccination programme currently running will be for all children aged between six months and five-years-old. Meanwhile, the department also said another two people from Northern Ireland have died after contracting the virus. This brings the total to 15.
It is expected to begin around mid-December - as soon as all the priority groups have received their vaccine. The next phase of the vaccination programme currently running will be for all children aged between six months to five-years-old.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said young children seemed to be particularly susceptible to the virus.Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said young children seemed to be particularly susceptible to the virus.
"(They) also have the highest rate of hospitalisation even without any underlying health conditions," he said."(They) also have the highest rate of hospitalisation even without any underlying health conditions," he said.
"In line with normal arrangements for vaccinating this age group, parents should expect to receive a letter from their GP once the first priority groups have been vaccinated.""In line with normal arrangements for vaccinating this age group, parents should expect to receive a letter from their GP once the first priority groups have been vaccinated."
The process of printing and delivering consent forms to parents and guardians is well under way.The process of printing and delivering consent forms to parents and guardians is well under way.
Anyone who is under 16 will have to have these forms signed before they can be given the jab.Anyone who is under 16 will have to have these forms signed before they can be given the jab.
Children over 16, by law, will be allowed to decide for themselves.Children over 16, by law, will be allowed to decide for themselves.
BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent Marie Louise Connelly said: "According to a number of GPs contacted by the BBC, this is a positive move as a high number of patients are young children who through play can easily spread the infection to each other."BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent Marie Louise Connelly said: "According to a number of GPs contacted by the BBC, this is a positive move as a high number of patients are young children who through play can easily spread the infection to each other."
So far, 13 people from Northern Ireland are known to have have died after contracting the virus. Thirteen of the swine flu deaths occurred in Northern Ireland, while one person died in England and another in Spain.
Eleven of the deaths occurred in Northern Ireland, while one person died in England and another in Spain.