Department of Health and Social Care
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VACCINATION AVAILABLE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST SWINE ‘FLU NOW AND IN THE FUTURE
New cases of pandemic H1N1 (2009) Influenza in communities in England remain at around their lowest level since the disease first appeared in the United Kingdom. Patients continue to be hospitalised and admitted to critical care facilities, though in declining numbers.
There have been 23 further confirmed deaths in England attributable to pandemic H1N1 (2009) influenza since our last bulletin. This increase reflects an increase in the number of successfully validated deaths, rather than a “spike” in the number of deaths occurring in the last two weeks. A substantial number of deaths from the last few months are still being investigated.
The Emergency Committee of the World Health Organisation (WHO) discussed the pandemic situation on 23 February 2010. The committee concluded that “it was premature to conclude that all parts of the world have experienced peak transmission of the H1N1 pandemic influenza”.
In the UK, the pandemic H1N1 (2009) vaccination programme is still being delivered: front line health and social care staff; highest priority groups (those with underlying illness and pregnant women); and healthy children aged 6 months to under 5 years.
It is highly likely that the pandemic H1N1 (2009) virus will be the predominant influenza strain in the 2010/ 2011 influenza season. Vaccination now will protect individuals against the disease and its complications when it returns later in the year.
Commenting on the latest situation, Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer for England said:
“Vaccination continues to be freely available to all those in designated risk groups and to children aged six months to under five years. It is the best way to reduce the risks of serious complications of pandemic ‘flu in the future.
“Anyone who is eligible for vaccination but who has not yet had the jab should contact their general practitioner or vaccination clinic.”
Key statistics from the update
In England, the rate of general practitioner consultations for influenza like illness was 9.0 per 100,000 population for the week ending 28 February 2010.
The Health Protection Agency overall estimate of the number of cases in the last week remains below 5,000 where it has been for the last ten weeks.
This week has shown a further decline from 17 February 2010 when there were 72 patients in hospital and 20 patients in critical care.
Vaccination figures
By 3 March 2010, 12.8 million doses of GSK vaccine and 0.38 million doses of Baxter vaccine had been sent out to the NHS in England. Further supplies are in warehouse stores.
The total estimated number of doses given to front line health care workers to-date in England is 402,000.
The total estimated number of doses given to the priority groups in England to-date is 4.69 million. This figure includes:
· 149,000 pregnant women; and
· 611,000 healthy children aged
6 months to under 5 years.
Notes to Editors
1. Full statistical data can be found here http://nds.coi.gov.uk/
2. For media enquiries please contact the Department of Health Newsdesk on 0207 210 5221.
3. This fortnightly statistical bulletin replaces the weekly media briefings with the Chief Medical Officer on swine flu which were suspended on January 8 2010
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk
