Swine flu jab for special school staff

Published Monday, 26 October 2009

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has announced that the priority swine flu vaccination programme will include some staff in special schools.

The minister said that those who provide personal care for pupils with severe learning difficulties will be offered the vaccine from this week.

"At present, we have a limited supply of vaccines and our first priority must be to protect those most at risk from the complications of swine flu."

Last week 2,500 children in over 20 special schools across Northern Ireland were offered the vaccine. The Minister said this process was now largely completed.

Michael McGimpsey stepped in after two children at Foyleview Special School in Londonderry died from the virus.

Ashleigh Lynch died on Wednesday, while her classmate Orla O'Kane, passed away the previous week after contracting swine flu.

Arrangements have also been made for other children with special needs and underlying physical health conditions who are not in special schools to be offered the vaccine.

Mr McGimpsey said: "The staff who provide personal care to the vulnerable children within special schools for severe learning disability are doing similar work as frontline health and social care workers.

"Therefore I believe that this move will further protect this vulnerable group of children and young people."

The Minister said: "GPs will now begin to prioritise our supplies of the Swine flu vaccination to ensure those most at risk are protected first.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation has welcomed the decision.

Senior official Tony Carlin said: "We however would urge the Minister to ensure that the vaccine will be offered to all staff in special schools and that there will not be a lottery as to who can be vaccinated at this time.

"This is about controlling risk and INTO does not believe that partial vaccination programmes will significantly reduce the risk."

Comments

3 Comments

Dave in Belfast wrote (941 days ago):

Hi all, My mother and brother are both high risk and I have been chasing their Doctors at local GPs to get them vaccinated as my 2 children last week had symptoms similar to swine flu, and I am the carer for my mum and brother who has MS. I have to stay away from them for 36 hrs to see if I develop any symptoms myself!

willie bell in lisburn wrote (941 days ago):

hi my 7 month old baby has an avsd the doctor sayed see is no entitled to the jab yet cause she is not diabetic or pregnant or asthmatic she can get it after all them have been done y is this as we know the 1st person to die with swine flue was a baby with a hart complaint ? can so 1 please gide us as we are really worried for our child. thank you

jack singleton in lisburn wrote (941 days ago):

I drive a school bus. Of the ten children, I carry, six have been treated for swine flu. They are all special needs. My wife has been invited, by her GP to have the vaccination, as she is considered AT RISK... Therefore in these circumstances, can I be considered for the vaccination ?