Children will now be offered swine flu vaccine

Children over the age of six months and under five years will now be offered the swine flu vaccine.

The GSK vaccine Pandemrix will be offered to children in this age group who do not have a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to eggs.

Those who do will be offered the alternative Celvapan.

The move to begin vaccination on young children is supported by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who will be providing advice to the Department of Health throughout the programme.

Children in this age group are more likely to be hospitalised if they become ill with swine flu and there have even been deaths.

This now leaves mothers in the awkward situation of having to decide whether or not to take up the offer of a vaccine that is only just being tested on the nation’s toddlers.

Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: “We shouldn’t underestimate swine flu – it is a nasty infection and its effects can be devastating. I know that some parents have concerns about immunisation but the swine flu vaccine is our most effective protection against the virus. This is obviously a personal choice but I would advise all parents whose children are offered the vaccine to take it up. If you are worried, please talk to your GP and get all the information so that you can make an informed choice.”

Parents with children in the relevant age group should wait to be contacted by their local GP.

Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, said: “Vaccination remains a personal choice, but I urge everyone who is offered the vaccine to accept it and protect themselves. While the risks of serious complications from ‘flu may be small, the impact on those affected can be devastating.”