Swine Flu

Swine flu Vaccination Invitation letters have been sent to the first 3 priority groups as specified by the Department of Health. If you have received a letter please call the practice to book an appointment at one of our Swine Flu clinics. We are unable to book appointments outside of the specified clinics as the vaccine is produced in vials of 10 doses so we must know we have 10 patients to vaccinate before we can open the vial. We are aware that some groups on the Department of Health eligibility criteria have not yet been invited for vaccination, this is because, at this time, the practice has not received sufficient vaccines to vaccinate everyone identified, we are following the Department of Health Guidelines and expect to be inviting patients in the remaining criteria in due course.

THE NEW NATIONAL SWINE FLU SERVICE can be accessed here rather than contacting the surgery https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk/ or call the Treatment Line on 0800 1 513 100. Textphone is available on 0800 1 513 200. Anyone who suspects they have swine flu must NOT go to their GP or Accident and Emergency. People should contact their doctor direct rather than using the National Pandemic Flu Service if: - they have a serious underlying illness, - they are pregnant, - they have a sick child under one year old - their condition suddenly gets much worse, or - if their condition is still getting worse after 7 days (5 for a child)

Visit the Health Protection Agency website for information.

Swine flu - what you need to know

Swine flu is a form of influenza that originated in pigs but can be caught by, and spread among, people.

Since the Mexican swine flu outbreak, cases have also been confirmed in America and Europe.

Have you just returned from one of the affected areas?
Then it's important for you to monitor your health closely for seven days after you've got home.
You don't have to isolate yourself from other people as long as you remain well.
What are the symptoms?
It's a feverish or flu-like illness with one or more of these symptoms:
cough , sore throat , headache , aching muscles.
If you have any of these symptoms, stay at home and ring your doctor or seek advice from NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Make sure you tell the doctor that you've recently travelled to an affected area.
Depending on your symptoms, you may be advised that further investigations are necessary.

How can I prevent it?
You can use good infection control practices and respiratory hand hygiene to help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including swine flu.
So make sure you:

• cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and use a tissue
• throw your dirty tissues away promptly and carefully
• use good basic hygiene, for example regularly wash your hands with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, or to other people
• clean hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.

Where can I get more information?
Advice and regular updates for travellers,

Updates from the Health Protection Agency