Published Thursday, 22 October 2009
On Thursday, a swine flu vaccination programme for children with severe learning disabilities was launched across Northern Ireland.
Three more people with the virus have died in the region in the last 24 hours, prompting the talks aimed at alleviating worry and stress for parents.
There have been suggestions the best move would be to close some schools, but Chairman of the Health Committee Jim Wells does not think that should happen.
"I think what is better is that the schools are kept open and the vaccinations are carried out quickly, within the next couple of days," he said. "That should provide a fair degree of protection for children and has started today, so the Department is taking it very seriously."
By the end of the week, the vaccine will be offered to around 2,500 children in more than 20 special schools.
Children with severe learning disabilities are considered to be especially vulnerable because of their underlying health conditions.
Dr Elizabeth Mitchell, a principal medical officer with the Department of Health, has moved to allay any fears parents may have.
Side effects
"Common side effects with any vaccine are redness and soreness and swelling at the site of the injection. A few people also get fever, headaches, muscle aches - but that's much milder than you would get with the actual illness of flu," she told UTV Live Tonight.
"It doesn't last so long and you can take painkillers. Don't be alarmed and just to reaffirm, it's not the flu and you can't get the flu from the vaccine."
Mairead McNearney's son Sean has special needs and is one of the children who will receive the vaccine.
"We're very concerned because of the level of contact and hand-to-mouth contact at the school.
"Our son puts everything in his mouth and touches everything," she said. "So we would really like to see him as protected as possible and the vaccine would just be one way of ensuring that."
Three further swine flu-related deaths were disclosed on Wednesday night.
Among them was a girl who attended the same special needs school as a teenager with the virus who died last week.
Ashleigh Lynch, 14, was a pupil at Foyleview School in Londonderry where Orla O'Kane, also 14, attended before her death.
The swine flu vaccination programme was launched on Wednesday.
Along with special needs children, frontline Health and Social Care staff, pregnant women and patients in at risk groups in hospitals are the first in line for the vaccine.
The health minister said an estimated 490,000 vaccines will be available for all the initial priority groups.
It is expected that this process will be completed by December.
Mr McGimpsey has urged everyone to get the vaccine when it is offered to protect themselves and those at risk.
UTV Live Tonight asked Chief nursing officer Martin Bradley and Deputy Chief Medical officer Dr Elizabeth Mitchell to answer as many of YOUR questions as possible about the pandemic and the newly launched vaccination programme. Watch their answers...