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Two H1N1 deaths
25/10/2009
Twenty-second and twenty-third pandemic flu deaths reported in Scotland.
An 81 year old woman at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and a 50 year old woman at Glasgow's Western Infirmary, who had both been suffering from Influenza A (H1N1), have died.
Scottish Swine Flu Vaccination Helpline 08000 28 28 16
NHS24
08454 24 24 24
Both women had significant underlying health conditions and at the request of their families no further details will be released.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
"I send my sincere condolences to the friends and families of both these women at this very difficult time.
"Vaccination is our best defence against this virus. I urge everyone who is offered the vaccine to accept it, in order in order to help minimise the impact of this virus.
'The vaccination programme is on track. It will have a phased introduction as supplies become available from the manufacturers. Supplies will start to arrive in GP practices from tomorrow but GPs have been advised that it will be into November before all practices have supplies.
"Patients in priority groups will be contacted by their GP when they have to attend for vaccination and we expect to have offered vaccination to all in the priority groups by the end of the year.
"Anyone who is concerned about flu-like symptoms should continue to contact their GP for advice, or NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24."
Dr Dean Marshall, Chairman of the BMA's Scottish General Practitioners Committee, said:
"Plans for the Scottish vaccination programme haven't changed and are continuing as intended. Patients should still wait to be contacted by their GP.
"GP practices have been planning the vaccination programme for several months and once sufficient supplies arrive in their Practices, they will begin contacting patients in the priority groups."