Menu
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)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 October 2009
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.
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.
07 October 2009
Child Dies In North From Swine Flu
The tragic death of a child who was suffering from swine flu has been confirmed. The North's Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has today expressed his deepest sympathy to the family of the unnamed young child who died yesterday. He said that the victim was confirmed as having swine flu, but the exact cause of death of the child is not yet known.
Child Dies In North From Swine Flu
The tragic death of a child who was suffering from swine flu has been confirmed. The North's Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has today expressed his deepest sympathy to the family of the unnamed young child who died yesterday. He said that the victim was confirmed as having swine flu, but the exact cause of death of the child is not yet known.
22 October 2009
More Swine Flu Tragedies Revealed
A second child from the same special school in the North has died after contracting swine flu. The pupil at Foyleview in Derry, Ashleigh Lynch, is understood to have been a fellow pupil of 14-year-old Orla O'Kane who died last week.
More Swine Flu Tragedies Revealed
A second child from the same special school in the North has died after contracting swine flu. The pupil at Foyleview in Derry, Ashleigh Lynch, is understood to have been a fellow pupil of 14-year-old Orla O'Kane who died last week.
29 April 2009
Ireland 'Not Ready' To Tackle Swine Flu
It has been revealed that the Department of Health do not believe Ireland has all the necessary elements in place to tackle swine flu, should a pandemic emerge. An internal document at the department last year warned there was a risk to the public due to a lack of cover arrangements in the event of an infectious disease outbreak.
Ireland 'Not Ready' To Tackle Swine Flu
It has been revealed that the Department of Health do not believe Ireland has all the necessary elements in place to tackle swine flu, should a pandemic emerge. An internal document at the department last year warned there was a risk to the public due to a lack of cover arrangements in the event of an infectious disease outbreak.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
