Febraury 2010
New Arrangements
The Department of Health have decided that the National Pandemic Flu Service is to stand down with effect from 1am on Thursday, 11 February.
This will mean that from 11 February onwards, antivirals will only be authorised via health care professionals ( GP's)
Please ring the surgery if you think you have swine systoms.
NHS Norfolk will continue to run the Pandemic Flu Advice Line 0808 238 9786 or panflu@norfolk.nhs.uk which provides non-clinical advice.
Vaccination Programme
The national vaccination campaign will still be running until the next flu season in October.The vaccines are still for the vulnerable patients who have been identified and children between six months and five years although new patients will fall into these categories throughout that period.
The swine flu information line will continue to operate (on 0800 1 513 513) and will provide recorded information messages, directing people to contact their GPs, if appropriate, and giving information about swine flu and self-care.
If the doctor thinks that antiviral treatment should be provided, the appropriate voucher will be completed and available for collection by yourself or your flu friend.
January 2010 - update
Phase 2 Vaccinations
During this phase we will be following guidance from our Strategic Health Authority and PCT and will be sending out invitation letters to all patients over 6 months and under 5yrs to attend clinics for a Swine Flu vaccination.
A leaflet about this phase of the vaccination programme can be obtained from http://www.mhra.gov.uk
Hoveton and Wroxham Medical Centre
Swine flu Immunisation Programme
Swine flu is a completely new virus to which very few people are likely to have immunity. It has occurred at a time of the year when seasonal flu isn’t around, and may affect more people than seasonal flu. It might become more serious. The seasonal flu vaccination does not protect against swine flu.
The vaccine to protect against swine flu will be available later in the winter and the following people have been prioritised for vaccination in the following order:
· people aged six months and up to 65 years of age in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups
· all pregnant women (depending on the licence for the vaccine)
· household contacts of immunocompromised people
· people aged 65 years and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups.
A limited supply of vaccines will be delivered in Norfolk over a three week period from 26 October.
As the vaccine is limited to the priority groups we will be getting in contact with patients in these groups to offer an appointment when we have received supplies.
Further information can be obtained from:
WWW.norfolk-pct.nhs.uk