Schools swine flu vaccine details

Around 16,000 children in Jersey will receive the vaccine. Photo George Frey/Getty Images

The second phase of the Jersey swine flu vaccination programme will start on Wednesday 11 November 2009.

If the expected supply of vaccine arrives on time then a vaccination programme of 'unprecedented size' will be put into place.

This will see around 16,000 children in around 70 nurseries and schools across the island be vaccinated against the H1N1 strain of influenza.

The programme will start in the schools with over 250 pupils.

The programme will see 13 teams of 44 immunisers visit the first round of schools to deliver the vaccine.

As a health worker I was among the first to have the vaccine and my children will be having it as soon as it is their turn. Jersey's Medical Officer of Health, Dr Rosemary Geller

However, the vaccine can only be given to children who have returned a signed consent form from their parents, if the form isn't returned in time then the child will not receive the vaccine.

The vaccine is not compulsory, parents are free to chose whether they want their child to have it or not, but Jersey's Medical Officer of Health, Dr Rosemary Geller strongly recommends it.

"The vaccine is not compulsory however I strongly recommend that parents consent to their child being vaccinated.

"As a health worker I was among the first to have the vaccine and my children will be having it as soon as it is their turn," Dr Geller said.

Information about the vaccine and the programme, as well as consent forms have been sent to parents in all primary schools and nurseries.

The information will be sent to secondary schools soon after.

As well as the information being sent home, there will be five information evenings held to let parents ask medical experts questions about the programme.

INFORMATION EVENINGS Wed 4 November, 5.30pm at St Peter's Community Centre Mon 9 November, 5.30pm at Haute Vallee School Mon 9 November, 7.30pm at Haute Vallee School Wed 11 November, 7.30pm at Hautlieu School Thu 12 November, 7.30pm at Hautlieu School

Mark Jones is a Consultant Paediatrician at the Jersey General Hospital and explained that the vaccine has been licensed for use in children over the age of six months.

"Swine flu can be a serious illness which, for some children, can lead to pneumonia and hospital admission or intensive care.

"Vaccination is the best way to protect children from this virus. The vaccines against swine flu are safe and have been licensed for use in children above ht age of six months," said Mark Jones.

Parents must return consent forms to schools by Tuesday 10 November if they want their children to receive the vaccine.

If a child has already received the vaccine from a GP due to a pre-existing illness, parents are being asked to make a note of this on the consent form and return it to school.

The vaccinations will then take place on school or nursery premises. Parents that wish to be there for their child needs to make arrangements with teachers as the Health Department can't guarantee times.

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