National Swine Flu Vaccinations Begin

The Irish swine flu vaccination programme has began, as the Department of Health and Children describes the pandemic as a "national public health emergency".

Some 400,000 at-risk people are to receive the injection in the coming weeks with the vaccine being offered by thousands of GPs and at Health Service Executive clinics around the country.

Those on the 'at-risk' list include those aged six months to 65 years with serious medical conditions, pregnant women and young mothers.

The initial stage will be followed by a programme of vaccination for health staff, children and the over 65s and then the rest of the population.

Almost 100 people have already turned up at a HSE centre in Ballymun in Dublin this morning to get the vaccine.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Children said that Ireland was now experiencing a significant increase in the rate of the H1N1 Influenza infection. "This is now a national public health emergency," he said.

He added: "We are now seeing influenza occurring at rates that have never been seen with seasonal influenza. This is particularly the case among children."

Dr Holohan also warned that despite the relatively mild effects of the virus, people "must not be complacent".

"H1N1 Influenza shows some important differences in behaviour from seasonal influenza. Significant complications can and do arise among people who are otherwise healthy.

"The experience in Ireland thus far has shown that more than half of the almost 500 people who have required admission to hospital do not have an underlying illness. There is no way of predicting who the people who experience complications are likely to be."

The HSE has appealed to people not in the 'at risk' category to wait for the swine flu jab. Vaccination is available at one of 45 HSE clinics around the country if a patients' GP is not offering the vaccine.

Details of HSE clinic locations are available at www.swineflu.ie, or from the HSE's hotline on 1800-941100.

(DW/BMcC)