EPPING FOREST: Swine flu vaccine now ready for toddlers (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

EPPING FOREST: Swine flu vaccine now ready for toddlers

2:51pm Tuesday 24th November 2009

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THE swine flu vaccine for healthy children in the district aged between six months and five years is now ready, health bosses have said.

Individual GPs will start contacting families in Epping Forest with information on how to receive it in the coming days and weeks.

GPs must first complete their own vaccination programmes of at-risk patients, such as the elderly, disabled and children with pre-existing serious health problems, although this phase is "well underway" according to health officials.

Pam Hall, deputy director of public health with NHS West Essex, said: "Young children aged over six months and under five years will be offered the vaccine once GPs have completed the vaccination of the priority groups.

“Parents of children in this age bracket should wait to be contacted by their local surgery."

She added: "Our first priority is to ensure that people with clinical risk factors and frontline health and social care staff are vaccinated.

“Protecting those most at risk from the disease will reduce the levels of serious illness and deaths.

“Vaccination remains a personal choice, but I urge everyone who is offered the vaccine to accept it."

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