Weekly Swine Flu bulletin – Excellent vaccine uptake rates – McGimpsey
Thursday, 11 February 2010Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has said he is very encouraged by the high uptake rates for the swine flu vaccine in Northern Ireland.
The Minister was speaking as the weekly flu bulletin was published. The bulletin includes data for week ending Friday 5 February (Wk 5) and gives a good representation of the level of flu activity across Northern Ireland.
The key points are as follows:
- GP consultation rates for combined ‘flu/ Flu like illness (FLI) have increased from 17.8 (updated) in Wk 4 to 38.7/100,000 population in Wk 5 (117% increase). Rates are now slightly higher than the same week last year but remain below the Northern Ireland threshold for seasonal influenza activity.
- Out of hours calls for ‘flu/FLI decreased from 54 in Wk 4 to 42 in Wk 5 (22% decrease).
- Two swine flu detections in Wk 5.
- A cumulative total of 1,363 swine flu detections in Northern Ireland as at noon 10 February 2010.
- There were no new hospitalised cases reported in Wk 5.
- A cumulative total of 575 hospitalised swine flu cases as at noon on 10 February 2010. (This includes one additional new case which has been reported since the end of week 5).
- The number of RSV detections decreased from 23 in Wk 4 to 11 in Wk 5 (52% decrease).
- No new swine flu related deaths have been reported in Wk 5. The total number of swine flu related deaths in Northern Ireland remains at 18 as at 10 February 2010.
- One school outbreak reported this week.
- Antiviral prescriptions have decreased from 25 in Wk 4 to 22 in Wk 5 (12% decrease). The total number of antivirals issued was 24,130 as at noon on 5 February.
The Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said that people in Northern Ireland should still remain vigilant about swine flu.
“During this week we have seen a slight increase in GP consultations for flu and reports of a swine flu outbreak in a school. This confirms that the swine flu virus is still circulating.
“The vaccination programme is still ongoing and I have just received the latest provisional uptake rates for vaccination. I am pleased to report that in Northern Ireland we have achieved an uptake rate of 81% for those aged under 65 in at risk groups and 69% for those over 65 in at risk groups. Fifty three percent of pregnant women have now taken up the offer of vaccination and 48% of frontline health and social care workers. I would like to pay tribute to staff in our Trusts and Primary Care system who have worked tirelessly to implement such a successful vaccination programme. I would also like to thank the Public Health Agency and Health and Social Care Board for their contribution to the programme.
“We have received 751,200 vaccines. More than half of that total has been distributed to GPs/Trusts and around 327,000 people have already been vaccinated. The vaccination programme is still ongoing therefore the vaccine is still needed and is still being used. I would urge people such as those in at risk groups, pregnant women and the under 5s who have not yet been vaccinated to get their vaccination.
“Swine flu is likely to be around for some time and the experts advise that it will be the main seasonal flu circulating later this year. It is entirely appropriate that we hold enough vaccine to deal with any future waves of swine flu. The protection offered by the vaccine will last for a number of years.
“This is the first time in the history of a global pandemic that we have had a vaccine available. There is no doubt that the vaccine has helped to keep the virus at a relatively low level and it has helped to prevent severe illness and deaths, particularly in those with underlying medical conditions.
“However, don’t forget that swine flu has contributed to the deaths of 18 people in Northern Ireland. My thoughts are with their families. 575 people have been admitted to hospital with swine flu here and 50 of these have required treatment in Intensive Care beds. For all of these people, swine flu presented a serious threat.
“In preparing for this pandemic, I have always taken the advice of the scientific and medical experts about how to deal with any emerging situation. I will continue to take their advice.”
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said:
“While swine flu is now circulating much less widely in the community, it should be remembered that the virus itself has not changed. This means that people are less likely to come in contact with the virus, however for those who do become infected, the virus poses just as much risk as it has done all along.
“For that reason I want to emphasise how important the vaccine is especially for those in the at risk groups. The vaccination programme includes children aged from six months to five years. This age group has seen the highest rate of hospitalisations during the pandemic, it is therefore vitally important that parents make the decision to have their children protected. Vaccination remains the most effective protection against the swine flu virus.”
Notes to editors:
1. The clinical priority groups for the swine flu vaccination programme were identified by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). They are prioritised as they are at greatest risk of complications if they become infected with swine flu, and hence the initial focus on protecting individuals in these groups. The priority groups for the swine flu vaccination, in order of priority are:
- Individuals aged six months and up to 65 years in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups;
- Pregnant women;
- Household contacts of immunocompromised individuals;
- People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups;
- Frontline health and social care workers are also amongst the first to be offered the vaccine.
2. Phase two of the vaccination programme for children from six months to five years was announced on 19 November 2009 and is currently well under way.
3. The UK is in a treatment phase in relation to managing the swine flu pandemic. This means that our focus is on treating those people who actually have swine flu and in particular those at higher risk of developing complications. In addition, the routine testing of suspected cases and the tracing of close contacts of a symptomatic patient has been discontinued. The level of flu in the community is therefore being monitored using a range of surveillance mechanisms through GP practices, Out of Hours centres, antiviral prescriptions and hospital surveillance systems. This enables us to monitor flu levels and identify trends in activity.
4. Some groups of people are more at risk of serious illness if they catch swine flu. Those with:
- Chronic lung disease
- Chronic heart disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic neurological disease
- Immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years
As well as:
- Pregnant women
- Young children under five years old
- People aged 65 years and older
It is vital that people in these higher risk groups contact their GP for assessment and if advised to start antivirals should start taking them within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
5. The Northern Ireland swine flu helpline number 0800 0514 142 is a freephone helpline (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) for those who want more information about swine flu. Textphone 18001 0800 0 514 142.
The UK-wide flu information line on 0800 1513 513 provides regularly updated advice on swine flu. This is also a freephone number.
6. Further information about swine flu can be found on the DHSSPS website and nidirect
7. Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0575. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
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