Order of priority for swine flu jab

Frontline medical staff followed by pregnant women and the under fives will be the first to receive a new swine flu vaccine next month.

This is according to Pulse, the health professionals magazine, which states that under 65s with chronic conditions, under 18s and pensioners will be the next in line.

The vaccine is currently being trialled at Leicester Royal Infirmary and is expected to be licensed for use in September.

Ministers have previously said they expect to have enough doses for half the UK population.

Lincolnshire GPs have also heard that health visitors are to be sent into school next term to vaccinate children with the two-part vaccine.

But NHS Lincolnshire says it has yet to receive guidance from the Department of Health on how the vaccine programme will be delivered.

Dr Mandy Bretman, director of public health for NHS Lincolnshire, said: "Who the priority groups will be for the vaccine, and how it is administered will be determined when the amount of vaccine is known and when it is to be received."

As reported in yesterday's Echo, more than half of youngsters given Tamiflu, the antiviral drug that reduces symptoms of swine flu, experienced unpleasant side effects, namely nausea, headaches and 'neuro-psychiatric side effects' such as nightmares and sleeplessness.

But when asked whether side effects are expected with the vaccine, Dr Bretman said: "We expect that any side effects will be similar to those of other vaccines such as occasional soreness and redness of the vaccination site."

For the full story see Tuesday's Lincolnshire Echo.