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UK - Northern Ireland - Retired medical staff could be drafted in to administer vaccine
Swine flu jabs for everyone: Minister reveals vaccination plan
By Victoria O'Hara
Thursday, 7 May 2009
The Department of Health could vaccinate every man, woman and child in Northern Ireland twice against swine flu if a pandemic breaks, the Belfast Telegraph reveals today.
In an interview with the Telegraph, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said that major plans aimed at tackling a serious pandemic ? costing millions of pounds ? will swing into action ?like a military operation?.
Mr McGimpsey added that hundreds of retired medical staff could also be drafted in to assist in administering around 3.6 million vaccine doses ? two for every single person in the province ? if there is an outbreak here.
To date 12 cases are under investigation in Northern Ireland and 40 cases were negative.
But medical experts are now concerned that a more serious outbreak could occur from October when flu is more prevelant.
While leading scientists work to create a vaccine for the potentially deadly virus, medical experts in the province are in a worldwide queue to receive it, if needed.
?A vaccine is hoped to be developed within the next four to six months,? the Minister said.
?With regard to the production of a vaccine, the four UK Health Departments have sleeping contracts in place with manufacturers.
?This is an arrangement that reserves our place in the global queue should production of a pandemic-specific vaccine become necessary.
?If needed every man, woman and child in Northern Ireland can get two courses, or two ?jags?,? he added.
Until a vaccine is developed antivirals are currently being stockpiled under tight security throughout the province to supply 80% of the population.
Mr McGimpsey revealed that he is in contact with his counterparts in the rest of the UK and the Republic, as well as senior cabinet ministers including Gordon Brown, on a near-daily basis.
Cases of swine flu have now emerged in 23 countries, including popular holiday destinations for Northern Ireland people such as Spain and Canada.
However the World Health Organisation is not recommending travel restrictions.
And Chief Medical Officer, Dr Elizabeth Mitchell, said the public ?should not be alarmed? as preparations for a possible pandemic have been developed over many years.
But she added that there could be a time when they will have to ?treat rather than test?.
?Yes, it is possible retired staff, doctors and former medical staff could be recruited to help deliver the vaccines,? she said.
Mr McGimpsey said the possible outbreak could have ?widespread implications? across many areas of society.
Planning has involved constant communications with other departments, including the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture.
?There is a lot of planning, it is like a military operation,? the Minster added.
Dr Mitchell said in the case of a possible outbreak among children who have just broken up for school a risk assessment would be carried out.
?A letter would probably then be sent out to parents to inform them and assure them at the same time. Communication is key,? she said.
Dr Peter Coyle, Consultant Virologist and Clinical Director of Labs in the Royal Victoria Hospital and Belfast Trust, said they are ?scaling up? their labs before October 1. ?It?s like putting a small factory together. Nobody really knows what is going to come around the horizon.
?In the best case scenario it will be very mild, in which case you would incorporate it into the seasonal flu vaccine for the ?at risk? population.
?At worst case scenario it will evolve into something that will have a wider target. We just have to prepare.?
The Northern Ireland swine flu helpline is 0800 0514 142.
Swine flu jabs for everyone: Minister reveals vaccination plan
By Victoria O'Hara
Thursday, 7 May 2009
The Department of Health could vaccinate every man, woman and child in Northern Ireland twice against swine flu if a pandemic breaks, the Belfast Telegraph reveals today.
In an interview with the Telegraph, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said that major plans aimed at tackling a serious pandemic ? costing millions of pounds ? will swing into action ?like a military operation?.
Mr McGimpsey added that hundreds of retired medical staff could also be drafted in to assist in administering around 3.6 million vaccine doses ? two for every single person in the province ? if there is an outbreak here.
To date 12 cases are under investigation in Northern Ireland and 40 cases were negative.
But medical experts are now concerned that a more serious outbreak could occur from October when flu is more prevelant.
While leading scientists work to create a vaccine for the potentially deadly virus, medical experts in the province are in a worldwide queue to receive it, if needed.
?A vaccine is hoped to be developed within the next four to six months,? the Minister said.
?With regard to the production of a vaccine, the four UK Health Departments have sleeping contracts in place with manufacturers.
?This is an arrangement that reserves our place in the global queue should production of a pandemic-specific vaccine become necessary.
?If needed every man, woman and child in Northern Ireland can get two courses, or two ?jags?,? he added.
Until a vaccine is developed antivirals are currently being stockpiled under tight security throughout the province to supply 80% of the population.
Mr McGimpsey revealed that he is in contact with his counterparts in the rest of the UK and the Republic, as well as senior cabinet ministers including Gordon Brown, on a near-daily basis.
Cases of swine flu have now emerged in 23 countries, including popular holiday destinations for Northern Ireland people such as Spain and Canada.
However the World Health Organisation is not recommending travel restrictions.
And Chief Medical Officer, Dr Elizabeth Mitchell, said the public ?should not be alarmed? as preparations for a possible pandemic have been developed over many years.
But she added that there could be a time when they will have to ?treat rather than test?.
?Yes, it is possible retired staff, doctors and former medical staff could be recruited to help deliver the vaccines,? she said.
Mr McGimpsey said the possible outbreak could have ?widespread implications? across many areas of society.
Planning has involved constant communications with other departments, including the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture.
?There is a lot of planning, it is like a military operation,? the Minster added.
Dr Mitchell said in the case of a possible outbreak among children who have just broken up for school a risk assessment would be carried out.
?A letter would probably then be sent out to parents to inform them and assure them at the same time. Communication is key,? she said.
Dr Peter Coyle, Consultant Virologist and Clinical Director of Labs in the Royal Victoria Hospital and Belfast Trust, said they are ?scaling up? their labs before October 1. ?It?s like putting a small factory together. Nobody really knows what is going to come around the horizon.
?In the best case scenario it will be very mild, in which case you would incorporate it into the seasonal flu vaccine for the ?at risk? population.
?At worst case scenario it will evolve into something that will have a wider target. We just have to prepare.?
The Northern Ireland swine flu helpline is 0800 0514 142.