Swine flu vaccination programme for children under five to start before Christmas

Children between the ages of six months and five years will be invited to get their swine flu vaccination, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announced today.

The first phase of the vaccination programme for patients in "at risk" groups is well underway and should be substantially completed by the end of next week.

Children between six months and five years old have been identified as the next priority group for the vaccine because they are more likely to be hospitalised if they fall ill with swine flu. The decision to vaccinate this group is supported by advice from Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation - the UK's independent advisory board on vaccines.

These children will be invited for vaccination before Christmas and the programme will continue into January. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety will be asking the Health and Social Care Board to put in place local arrangements for the vaccination of children under five.

The four UK Health Departments, through NHS Employers, have been in discussion with the British Medical Association's General Practitioners' Committee to seek a national agreement on the vaccination of this group of children through GP practices, but a deal did not prove possible.

The Department expects that many GPs will still decide to vaccinate the under five's. However, where GP practices elect not to vaccinate these children, the Board will determine if the vaccinations can be offered through other willing GP practices or via Health and Social Care Trusts who employ Health Visitors and Community Nursing staff.

The Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey said: "I am disappointed we have not been able to reach a national deal with GPs to vaccinate children under five. I am committed to ensuring these children are protected in the best way possible during the present pandemic and have therefore asked the Health and Social Care Board to put in place arrangements for delivery of this vaccination programme. Officials from my Department were in contact with the Northern Ireland General Practitioner Committee of the BMA today to discuss taking the vaccination programme forward through local arrangements.

"The Board will be supported financially to do so and will receive £5.25 for each vaccine administered.

"I am confident that the vaccination programme will proceed smoothly and know that many Northern Ireland GPs will want to provide this service for their youngest patients. The supply of vaccine is increasing and we should therefore be able to meet the demand for vaccine and begin vaccinating children before Christmas.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank GP practices and Health Service staff for all their work up to now in delivering the vaccination programme for patients in the "at risk" groups."

Parents of children in the priority group will receive information about swine flu vaccinations as soon as the plans have been finalised.

Notes for Editors:

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