Swine flu vaccination campaign begins

[Posted: Mon 02/11/2009 by Joanne McCarthy]

The long-awaited swine flu vaccination campaign has begun today, with between 400,000 and 500,000 patients in at-risk groups being offered the vaccine.

According to the HSE, the vaccine is available through 2,300 GPs and at 45 special HSE clinics in areas where GPs are not participating in the vaccination programme.

Dr Tony Holohan, the Department of Health’s chief medical officer, said that the situation was now a ‘national public health emergency’.

According to Dr Holohan, the Department estimates that about 2.5% of the population have been infected with the virus. He stressed that we must not be complacent about swine flu, saying that it shows important differences in behaviour from seasonal influenza.

“Significant complications can and do arise among people who are otherwise healthy. The experience in Ireland so far has shown that more than half the almost 500 people who have required admission to hospital do not have an underlying illness,” he said.

“There is no way of predicting how people who experience complications are likely to be,” Dr Holohan added.

At present, the vaccine is being offered to people ages between six months and 65 years who have serious medical conditions, and pregnant women.

The HSE and Department of Health are also launching a communication campaign today to provide detailed information to the public about how, when and where they can receive the swine flu vaccination. Information in the first phase of the campaign is primarily targeted at those in the identified at-risk groups who are now being offered a vaccine through their GP or, if their GP is not participating, at one of the HSE vaccination clinics nationwide.

Details of HSE clinic locations are available at www.swineflu.ie or from the HSE’s hotline on 1800-941100

Read more on swine flu here