Community 'must combat swine flu'

There have been 50 confirmed cases of swine flu in Northern Ireland

Doctors in Northern Ireland have said the whole community will have a part to play in trying to prevent the spread of swine flu.

There have been 50 confirmed cases in NI - a figure likely to rise significantly over the next few months.

Doctors said pregnant women should not change their plans unnecessarily and should use common sense.

The advice was issued during a briefing by the Department of Health on Monday.

Plans for a vaccine are under way and by the end of the year half the population should be protected.

It will be the end of next year though before everyone is vaccinated.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said the public can be reassured it will be safe.

"All vaccines go through a very rigorous process of testing and quality control to ensure the vaccine is safe for human use," he said.

"This vaccine will be no different, it will be a licensed vaccine which will have gone through the appropriate testing to ensure that it is effective in protecting people against swine flu and is actually safe to do so."

Doctors said although they are preparing for the worst, people should continue to bear in mind that for most people swine flu will be a mild illness.