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Phase 2 of H1N1 vaccination programme
08/12/2009
Children aged between six months and five years are to be invited to receive their pandemic flu vaccination.
The first phase of the vaccination programme is still underway and proceeding well. Plans to vaccinate the priority groups by Christmas are on track. Once this is complete, the programme will be extended to include young children.
Children will begin to be invited for vaccination before the Christmas break and the programme will proceed throughout January.
In the absence of a UK-wide agreement with GPs to deliver the vaccines, health boards throughout Scotland have been asked to put in place local arrangements. In most cases, these arrangements are likely to involve the use of GPs, but public health staff employed by health boards could also deliver the programme.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
"Vaccination is our best form of defence against pandemic flu and it's good news that we're now ready to begin vaccinating young children.
"While H1N1 has proved to be a relatively mild illness for most, we have also seen that it can be a killer.
"As with most colds and flu-like illnesses, the H1N1 virus can circulate quickly in young children who are both susceptible to new infections and more likely to spread them. It is also the case that children are more likely to be hospitalised if they fall ill with the virus.
"It's for these reasons that we are extending the vaccination programme - to protect children themselves and those who come into contact with them.
"While it is disappointing that we have not been able to reach a UK-wide deal with GPs to deliver this vaccination, local health boards will put in place their own arrangements. This is not uncommon and they will be supported financially to do so. I am confident that the vaccination programme will proceed smoothly and know that many Scottish GPs will play a vital role in delivery."
The initial priority groups to receive the H1N1 vaccination included pregnant women, frontline health workers and people with existing health conditions.
The programme is now being extended to children aged six months to five years. Invitations to receive the vaccine are expected to be issued over the next few weeks.
Two H1N1 vaccines are currently being used in Scotland. Children receiving the Pandemrix vaccine will only require a single dose. The Celvapan vaccine, which is primarily being used for those with egg allergies, will require two doses with at least a three week interval between doses.
Health boards will receive £5.25 per dose.