Scottish Government

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Flu vaccination programme begins

21/10/2009

The first Scots to receive the H1N1 pandemic flu vaccination were given their jabs today.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon and Chief Medical Officer Harry Burns were on hand to see the vaccinations given at Glasgow's New Victoria Hospital.

Frontline health and social care workers will be among the first to be offered the vaccine, alongside 'at risk' people who are currently in hospital.

Ms Sturgeon said:

"With the world experiencing its first flu pandemic for 40 years, vaccination is the best defence we have against this new flu strain.

"While most sufferers make a good recovery from the virus, we have sadly seen that it can be deadly.

"That's why I urge everyone who is eligible to make sure they get the jab - it's the best way to protect yourself and others. Over the next few weeks, GPs will contact those eligible for the vaccine to make an appointment to get their jab.

"Our health workers have a vital role to play in caring for those struck down by flu. This increases their own risk of H1N1 infection and they may also pass the infection on to vulnerable patients. This is why it is so important that health workers are among the first people to be offered the vaccine.

"Thanks to the contracts put in place before the pandemic, Scotland is one of the first countries to receive the vaccine supply and we must make the most of our head start."

Dr Burns said:

"Our health workers are at the frontline of the battle against flu and that's why it's vital they protect themselves and others against H1N1 this winter.

"Health workers may believe they'd shake off flu if they get it this winter - but we know that, in a small minority, the H1N1 virus can be nasty.

"Not only are frontline workers more at risk of infection but they could also spread the bug to vulnerable patients. We expect this to be a busy winter, which makes it even more important that staff do all they can to keep well.

"As I'm not currently working on the health frontline, I'm not in the priority groups to receive the vaccination. But rest assured, if I was, I'd certainly be getting it."

Dr Brian Keighley, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said:

"I believe that all doctors in Scotland should consider having the vaccine to protect themselves and to reduce the risk of passing on the virus to their patients.

"Health professionals are at the frontline of providing care during a potential pandemic and it is important that they are protected.

"Vaccination is a decision for every individual. However current evidence suggests that the risk of experiencing a complication as a result of contracting swine flu far outweighs the risk of receiving the vaccine. I encourage all members to consider the available information and accept the opportunity to be vaccinated."

Theresa Fyffe, Director of RCN Scotland, said:

"I would urge all nurses and frontline staff to get vaccinated against swine flu as soon as possible. While most cases of swine flu are mild, it can lead to complications for people with underlying health problems.

"Vaccination is a simple way for nurses to protect themselves, their families and their patients from swine flu, so employers must ensure that all appropriate staff have the opportunity to receive the vaccination."

Dr Ken Lawton, Chair of RCGP Scotland.

"RCGP Scotland welcomes the launch of the H1N1 programme as part of the response to the current pandemic. Vulnerable patients in particular will benefit from this programme which will enable us to begin protecting patients from future risk of infection.

"I would also encourage all colleagues and front line staff to seriously consider taking the vaccine themselves to ensure that as a workforce, we can provide effective and consistent service should the number of H1N1 cases continue to increase."

Gillian Smith, Royal College of Midwives' director for Scotland, said:

"We encourage all of our members to carefully consider the information regarding vaccination and accept the opportunity to be vaccinated, in order to protect themselves and the mothers and babies they provide care to.

"We believe that in order to protect pregnant women, midwives' families and midwives, all midwives should seriously consider taking the vaccine."

Michael Fuller, Unite Scottish Health Secretary said:

"Unite/CPHVA welcome the opportunity for NHS staff who deal directly with patients to be vaccinated against swine flu.

"We would encourage all nurses and health visitors to take the vaccination as soon as possible to protect themselves and to protect patients in hospitals and in the community.

"Staff who are carrying out the vaccinations are fully supportive of the efforts of the Government to make the vaccination widely available."

A total of 1.3 million people are in the Scottish priority groups for the first stage of the vaccination programme. The priority groups are:

• People aged six months to 65 years in current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups
• All pregnant women
• Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems
• People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups
• Frontline health and social care workers

Most people will require a single dose of the vaccination. Children under the age of ten will require two doses.

The H1N1 vaccination programme will run in tandem with the existing seasonal flu programme. It is important that people who are entitled to receive both vaccinations do so. The H1N1 vaccination will not give protection against seasonal flu or vice versa.

The first days of the vaccination programme will focus on hospitals, immunising frontline staff and long-term patients who fall into the at-risk groups and might otherwise miss their vaccination.

The vaccination programme will then move into the community and GPs will invite eligible patients to come forward to receive the jab. Patients should wait until their GP contacts them.