SWINE FLU VACCINE
CONTINUES TO PROVIDE VITAL PROTECTION SAYS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
Swine flu cases
remain near their lowest level since the early stages of the
disease in the United Kingdom, according to a statistical bulletin
from the Chief Medical Officer for England, published today.
The bulletin also shows that the swine flu vaccination programme
has gathered pace since Christmas, as more people in groups at
risk from swine flu including the under fives, are being
vaccinated.
The Chief Medical Officer has stressed the importance of being
vaccinated to prevent complications, hospital admissions and death
in potential future outbreaks of the disease, as swine flu is
likely to be the predominant influenza virus during the 2010 flu season.
Patients continue to be hospitalised and admitted to critical
care facilities, although these numbers are in decline. A
substantial number of deaths from the last few months are still
being investigated.
Key statistics in the bulletin are:
Swine flu cases
In England, the rate of general practitioner consultations for
influenza like illness was 12.5 per 100,000 population for the
week ending 31 January 2010.
There are still 124 patients in hospital with swine flu in
England, 29 of whom are in critical care.
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 six weeks.
National Pandemic Flu Service
The number of people receiving antiviral drugs through the
National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) in the week ending 2 February
2010 was 4,730.
This represents a fall from the figure of 6,337 for the week
ending 18 January 2010 and is the lowest weekly number since the
NPFS was activated.
With levels of swine flu currently low the NPFS will close at
1am on Thursday 11 February. Should the situation change, the
service can be restored to full operation in seven days.
Vaccination programme
The total estimated number of front line health and social care
workers vaccinated to-date in England is 393,000.
The total number of vaccine doses administered to the priority
groups in England to-date is 4.25 million. This figure includes:
140,000 pregnant women; and404,000 healthy children aged 6
months to under 5 years in England.
Commenting on the latest figures, Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief
Medical Officer for England said:
“I am pleased to see increasing uptake of vaccine amongst the
under fives. Deaths in this age group have been deeply
distressing.
“When the virus returns I would very much like to see young
children already protected.
“From now on, most deaths from the pandemic flu virus should be
regarded as potentially preventable; general practitioners have
the vaccine and stand ready to offer this vital protection.
Parents should contact their general practitioner now to make an
appointment.
“Young children who have the jab now will be protected should
H1N1 (2009) influenza return in the next flu season. Pregnant
women and those in all other at-risk groups should continue to
have the vaccine as well.”
Notes to Editors
Full statistical data can be found here
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=410952&NewsAreaID=2&ClientID=46
For media enquiries please contact the Department of Health
Newsdesk on 0207 210 5221.
This fortnightly statistical bulletin replaces the weekly media
briefings with the Chief Medical Officer on swine flu which were
suspended on January 8 2010.
Useful information on swine flu:
DirectGov: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/DG_177831
General information and link to the National Pandemic Flu Service
Department of Health: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/Swineflu/index.htm
Guidance for medical professionals
NHS Choices: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Advice for members of the public
Chief Medical Officer’s webpage: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/MinistersandDepartmentLeaders/ChiefMedicalOfficer/index.htm
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk