10:33am Monday 8th February 2010
By Daniel Binns
HEALTH bosses have issued a reminder that the way suspected swine flu cases are handled in the district will change this week.
The announcement comes following a drop in the number of cases nationwide.
From this Thursday (February 11) onwards, residents who think they have the virus can only obtain Tamiflu via a telephone call to their doctor.
Currently, patients can obtain the drug via the National Pandemic Flu Service telephone hotline and website, but it is being shut down at midnight on Wednesday (February 10).
But Alison Cowie, director of public health at NHS West Essex, said residents should still be wary of the virus despite the fall in cases, and said the vaccination programme for children in the district would continue.
She said: "It is extremely important we do not allow the current low levels of influenza-like illness and the stand down of the National Pandemic Flu Service to lead to a sense of complacency.
“There is still considerable uncertainty about how the virus will behave over the coming months and years. Experts have advised that the H1N1 strain from this pandemic will the predominant influenza virus in the next flu season."
She added: "It is therefore vitally important that people in the at-risk groups - those aged over six months and in the seasonal at-risk groups, pregnant women, those who live with immunocompromised individuals and children aged over six months and under five years - are immunised.
“Letters have been sent to parents and guardians of children aged under five years by the PCT and GP practices over the past few weeks and I encourage them to make an appointment at their GP practice for their child to have a swine flu jab.
”If we can protect many more people before the next flu season starts later on in 2010 then lives can be saved."
Under the new system, if a GP suspects someone has swine flu they will issue that person with a voucher, which can then be picked up by a friend or relative of the patient.
The voucher can then be exchanged for antiviral drugs.
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