The HSE and Department of Health announced that the swine flu vaccination programme will commence on November 2. As very few people in Ireland have any immunity to swine flu, over the coming months, the HSE will offer a swine flu vaccine to the entire population.
Everyone will be offered the swine flu vaccine. However, as the vaccine is being delivered in phases, the HSE will start with the people who are more at risk from swine flu.
An agreed schedule of vaccine delivery was put in place earlier this year, but manufacturers have been delayed in meeting these delivery schedules. This problem is not limited to Ireland but is a worldwide problem. As such, the more at risk groups will be offered the vaccine first.
At risk groups
Pregnant women — from 14 weeks pregnant to six weeks after giving birth and anyone aged over six months and under 65 years who has long-term lung disease (like asthma and cystic fibrosis ), long-term heart disease, long-term kidney disease, long-term liver disease, long-term neurological disease (like MS, cerebral palsy ), immunosuppression, eg, cancer treatment (and their household contacts ), haemoglobinopathies, diabetes, morbid obesity (check with your GP ).
People aged 65 and over seem to have some immunity to swine flu so they are not in the most at-risk group and will be vaccinated at a later stage.
The HSE and Department of Health have been in touch with GPs and their representatives over the last 10 days, seeking their partnership in helping to vaccinate this group.
On November 1, a national information campaign will commence, inviting those in the at-risk groups to make contact with their GP and make an appointment to receive their vaccine at specific clinics. In the eventuality that an individual's GP is not participating, alternative arrangements will be put in place.
For more information visit www.swineflu.ie
