19/10/2009

Rollout Of Swine Flu Vaccines Begin

The delivery of the first batch of swine flu vaccines to GPs' surgeries across the country began today.

It is understood that around 1,800 GPs have agreed to administer the vaccine to patients, but the Health Service Executive has warned that it could take two weeks before all the doctors are supplied with stocks of the vaccine.

Around 400,000 patients who are deemed to be at-risk will be given the vaccine first.

This group includes: women who are more than 14 weeks pregnant and those aged between six months and 65 with chronic illnesses such as long-term lung, heart, liver and kidney disease, diabetes, blood disorders, compromised immune systems and MS or other neurological conditions.

Four people have died from swine flu in the Republic so far.

(KMcA/BMcC)

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