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Swine Flu Declines National Pandemic Flu Service To Close This Week
| Author: James Rudd | Published: 9th February 2010 12:09 |
Pandemic appears to be over
Following the Department of Health announcement to close the National Pandemic Flu Service from 1am on 11 February 2010 and with the number of swine flu cases now falling, if you think you have swine flu symptoms, you should stay at home and contact your GP who will be able to assess you and authorise antivirals if you need them.
Mark Driver, Director of Winter and Pandemic Flu for NHS Northamptonshire, said: “Antivirals will continue to be available through 13 antiviral collection points spread across the county. People with swine flu should ask their flu friend to collect their antivirals on their behalf. Antivirals will continue to be issued to patients with swine flu symptoms, under this system, free of charge until at least the end March 2010, the end of the seasonal flu period. The availability of antivirals beyond March is currently under Department of Health review.
“The current vaccination programme is continuing and we must remain vigilant. The swine flu vaccination programme is still being delivered to front line health and social care staff, those with underlying illness, pregnant women and healthy children aged 6 months to under 5 years. Getting vaccinated will prevent complications, hospital admissions and deaths in potential future outbreaks of the disease, especially given that pandemic H1N1 is likely to be the predominant influenza virus during the 2010 flu season.
“Good progress has been made in delivery of the vaccination programme to date but we must not be complacent. It is important that people in these groups continue to receive the vaccine as it offers the best protection against the virus.”
For up to date information on swine flu visit www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu or call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513.
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