Flu vaccine programme is launched

Michael McGimpsey said vaccination helped prevent the spread of the flu

Northern Ireland's swine flu vaccination programme has been launched by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey.

The first batches are being given to frontline health and social care staff and those in "at risk" groups.

About 55,000 doses have been delivered so far and more are due to arrive soon.

At risk groups include those aged between six months and 65 in the annual seasonal flu vaccination programme and all pregnant women.

They also include household contacts of those with immunity problems and people aged 65 and over who would normally get a seasonal flu jab.

Urgent arrangements are also being put in place to offer the vaccine to children with complex needs and severe learning disability.

Starting tomorrow and Friday, the vaccine will be offered to around 2,500 pupils in over 20 special schools. Many of these pupils are at most risk from complications of swine flu.

Cerebral palsy

Frontline health services were first to receive the vaccine

Mr McGimpsey said vaccination was key to preventing the spread of swine flu and protecting the most vulnerable within the population.

"Frontline health and social care staff will also be amongst the first to receive the vaccine," he added.

"GPs will start vaccinating those in the at risk groups starting from 26 October. We are dependent on vaccine being delivered by the manufacturers and so must prioritise our supplies to ensure those most at risk are protected first."

Seven people from Northern Ireland have died so far while suffering from the virus.

Five died in Northern Ireland while the other two victims died in England and Spain.

Londonderry teenager Orla O'Kane, 14, who had cerebral palsy, died last week.

Her parents were not told she had the virus until two days after her funeral.

Earlier this month a 12-year-old boy with underlying health problems died in the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald less than 48 hours after it was announced a toddler under the age of three died in the south-east.

A baby died in September but a pre-existing heart condition was determined as the cause of death.

In August the mother of two young children died. She had been fighting cancer for five years.

A soldier from County Londonderry, who was based in the south of England, also contracted the virus and died in Surrey at the end of July.

A 21-year-old woman from Belfast died in Spain after contracting the virus while on holiday in Ibiza.