First groups receive swine flu vaccine
Make sure you're protected
Like the rest of the UK, the Lothians are now seeing increased numbers of the Influenza A H1N1 virus – swine flu.
Most people report mild symptoms and some may have had it without realising. However, there are some people who have been seriously affected and, in a small number of cases, some with underlying health problems have died.
Two vaccines have now been licensed in the UK and a vaccination programme will be running this winter.
The vaccine will be offered initially to the following groups:
- People aged over six months and up to 65 years in current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups
- All pregnant women, subject to licensing considerations
- Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems. For example, people in regular close contact with patients on treatment for cancer
- People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical
- at-risk groups. This does not include otherwise healthy over 65s, as they appear to have some natural immunity
- Frontline health and social care workers will also begin to be vaccinated at the same time as these priority groups.
NHS Lothian is currently preparing for the vaccination campaign and is well placed to deliver it in addition to existing vaccination programmes.
If you think you have swine flu, contact NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 or ring your own GP. You can also visit the Scottish Government’s website. Visit www.scotland.gov.uk/swineflu