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06/07/2009
Swine Flu Vaccines On Route
Medical staff and other front-line personnel are to be at the top of the queue for swine flu vaccinations across Northern Ireland.
As plans to vaccinate every person in the Irish Republic were announced at the weekend - with top officials, including Taoiseach Brian Cowen expected to be among the first to be vaccinated - the NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey was spelling out policy for NI.
"Priority groups, such as those whose medical conditions put them at risk of complications from flu, along with frontline health service staff, will receive the vaccine first."
In a written statement to the Stormont Assembly he said: "I want to reassure Members and the general public that there will be enough vaccine for the entire population over the course of the pandemic.
"All of these actions place us in a very strong position to deal with a more serious outbreak, which experts predict is highly likely in the autumn and winter months."
He was commenting as the flu vaccinations arrival was being anticipated for next month.
"Efforts have enabled us to curb the spread of swine flu, which has given us valuable time to learn more about the characteristics of this novel virus. This has also allowed us to set in motion plans to develop a vaccine," he said.
"It is thanks to many years of planning for a potential pandemic that Northern Ireland, along with the rest of the UK, will be among the first countries in the world to receive vaccine.
"The first batch of vaccines is expected to arrive in Northern Ireland by August, and vaccination should start in September," he continued.
"All of these actions place us in a very strong position to deal with a more serious outbreak, which experts predict is highly likely in the autumn and winter months."
Meanwhile, up to 7.7 million swine flu vaccines will be made available in the Republic by the autumn, their Department of Health confirmed on Saturday.
The €88 million programme will be offered across the State and drugs manufacturers are working on the order for vaccines.
"The department has on order 7.7 million vaccines should they be required. The vaccines are being prepared by the pharmaceutical companies and they will be available (by the autumn)," said the Irish Health Department.
On Friday, 12 new cases of the A(H1N1) flu were confirmed in the Republic and another five in Northern Ireland.
See: Fourth UK Death From Swine Flu
(BMcC/JM)
As plans to vaccinate every person in the Irish Republic were announced at the weekend - with top officials, including Taoiseach Brian Cowen expected to be among the first to be vaccinated - the NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey was spelling out policy for NI.
"Priority groups, such as those whose medical conditions put them at risk of complications from flu, along with frontline health service staff, will receive the vaccine first."
In a written statement to the Stormont Assembly he said: "I want to reassure Members and the general public that there will be enough vaccine for the entire population over the course of the pandemic.
"All of these actions place us in a very strong position to deal with a more serious outbreak, which experts predict is highly likely in the autumn and winter months."
He was commenting as the flu vaccinations arrival was being anticipated for next month.
"Efforts have enabled us to curb the spread of swine flu, which has given us valuable time to learn more about the characteristics of this novel virus. This has also allowed us to set in motion plans to develop a vaccine," he said.
"It is thanks to many years of planning for a potential pandemic that Northern Ireland, along with the rest of the UK, will be among the first countries in the world to receive vaccine.
"The first batch of vaccines is expected to arrive in Northern Ireland by August, and vaccination should start in September," he continued.
"All of these actions place us in a very strong position to deal with a more serious outbreak, which experts predict is highly likely in the autumn and winter months."
Meanwhile, up to 7.7 million swine flu vaccines will be made available in the Republic by the autumn, their Department of Health confirmed on Saturday.
The €88 million programme will be offered across the State and drugs manufacturers are working on the order for vaccines.
"The department has on order 7.7 million vaccines should they be required. The vaccines are being prepared by the pharmaceutical companies and they will be available (by the autumn)," said the Irish Health Department.
On Friday, 12 new cases of the A(H1N1) flu were confirmed in the Republic and another five in Northern Ireland.
See: Fourth UK Death From Swine Flu
(BMcC/JM)
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Rollout Of Swine Flu Vaccines Begin
The delivery of the first batch of swine flu vaccines to GPs' surgeries across the country began today. It is understood that around 1,800 GPs have agreed to administer the vaccine to patients, but the Health Service Executive has warned that it could take two weeks before all the doctors are supplied with stocks of the vaccine.
06 October 2010
'At Risk Groups' Urged To Get Flu Jab
The Irish health service has today launched it's 'flu vaccination programme and has called on "at risk groups and pregnant women" especially to take up the vaccination. The Health Service Executive (HSE) today reminded everyone at risk of influenza this winter to "get the vaccine, not the 'flu!" which also protects from swine flu.
'At Risk Groups' Urged To Get Flu Jab
The Irish health service has today launched it's 'flu vaccination programme and has called on "at risk groups and pregnant women" especially to take up the vaccination. The Health Service Executive (HSE) today reminded everyone at risk of influenza this winter to "get the vaccine, not the 'flu!" which also protects from swine flu.
18 December 2009
Shock Reminder Of Deadly Flu Virus
Although GP consultation rates in the North for flu or flu-like symptoms continued their decrease - being down by 19% in the past week - there's been a shocking reminder of the possible deadly consequences of catching swine flu.
Shock Reminder Of Deadly Flu Virus
Although GP consultation rates in the North for flu or flu-like symptoms continued their decrease - being down by 19% in the past week - there's been a shocking reminder of the possible deadly consequences of catching swine flu.
21 August 2009
'Sadness' As Swine Flu Death Revealed
The North has suffered its first swine flu fatality. The woman died last night having been previously diagnosed with swine flu. She passed away in hospital and it is understood she had an underlying health condition.
'Sadness' As Swine Flu Death Revealed
The North has suffered its first swine flu fatality. The woman died last night having been previously diagnosed with swine flu. She passed away in hospital and it is understood she had an underlying health condition.
10 January 2011
Fresh Tragedy As North's Swine Flu Level Rises
Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency (PHA) has made a new pledge to update the public on the number of people to have died from the swine flu virus - with the first news being that another person in NI has died from the infection.
Fresh Tragedy As North's Swine Flu Level Rises
Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency (PHA) has made a new pledge to update the public on the number of people to have died from the swine flu virus - with the first news being that another person in NI has died from the infection.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
