GPs Role in "Swine Flu" Vaccination Programme Almost Completed

General practitioners today welcomed the HSE's announcement that HSE pandemic vaccination clinics have now commenced inviting children from 6 months to under 5 years of age and people aged 65 years and over to be vaccinated against 'swine flu'.

General practitioners are making steady progress towards completing their direct involvement in provision of vaccine to those in the initial at risk groups. These included pregnant women and people aged under 65 years with long term illnesses.

Dr Ronan Boland, Chairman of the IMO GP Committee said: "Where general practitioners have been vaccinating, they will be completing their efforts to vaccinate the highest risk groups and will thereafter, at the request of the HSE, be using any surplus vaccine to immunise practice staff and other patients opportunistically. This is to minimise wastage of the pandemic vaccine".

Dr Mark Walsh, Chairman of the ICGP said: "The HSE has thanked GPs for their support for the programme by way of vaccinating patients or directing patients to HSE-run clinics in their area. When they have completed their role in the immunisation of at risk patients under 65 years, general practitioners and their staff will be focussing on providing care to those falling ill from 'swine flu', in addition to carrying out their normal work at this especially busy time of the year".

In order to avoid queues at clinics, the HSE will be writing to parents of children aged from 6 months to under 5 years and, later, to people aged over 65 to let them know when it is time for them to attend a HSE clinic for their vaccine. The IMO and ICGP support the HSE's 'Swine Flu' national vaccination programme and would encourage members of the public to carefully follow the HSE's guidance prior to accessing vaccination at the HSE Clinics.

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For further information contact:

Maria Murphy
Director of Communications & Public Affairs
Irish Medical Organisation
Tel. 01 6767 273

Or

Angela Byrne
Web and Communications Manager
Irish College of General Practitioners
Tel: 016763705