When can I get the vaccine?
The vaccines have now been licensed by the European Commission. The vaccines have begun to be delivered to the NHS and plans are underway to distribute the vaccine to all NHS Health Boards. It will take a few weeks to get a good vaccine supply available across the UK and is still dependent on manufacturers' delivery schedules.
Are you still planning to vaccinate the whole population?
The Scottish Government, along with the administrations of the other UK nations, has purchased sufficient vaccine to protect the whole population if required. Priority groups for the first phase of the vaccination programme have been agreed. UK administrations will continue to consider the need for further vaccination based on the spread of the virus.
What are the priority groups?
The supply of vaccine will become available over a number of months so there is a need to identify the priority groups who will receive the first supplies of the vaccine.
These are:
- People aged over six months and up to 65 years in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups
- All pregnant women
- Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems e.g. people in regular close contact with patients on treatment for cancer
- People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups. This does not include otherwise healthy over 65s, since they appear to have some natural immunity to the virus
- Frontline health care workers with direct patient contact and social care staff employed to provide care to children and adults, both in care homes and in the community will also be offered the vaccination at the same time as the first priority group. This is necessary given the likelihood that such staff will have much greater potential exposure to the virus than other occupational groups, and vaccination of these staff can help prevent spread of the virus to the vulnerable people they care for.
Why have these priority groups been selected ahead of others?
The independent expert advice from the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) is that we should focus first on vaccinating those who have underlying conditions which means they are at risk of developing severe illness or complications as a result of the H1N1 virus.
The priority groups therefore include those who are already classed as at risk for the purposes of the seasonal flu vaccination, as well as other groups such as pregnant women who are known to be at higher risk from H1N1.
Is the vaccine safe for pregnant women?
The European Medicines Agency has said that Pandemrix and Celvapan can be given to pregnant women. Pregnant women are recommended to have the influenza A (H1N1) vaccine because they are at a greater risk of being seriously ill with the swine flu virus. They also have a higher risk of needing to go to hospital if they catch swine flu. These risks increase during the later stages of pregnancy. If you are about to give birth and there are a lot of cases of swine flu locally, having the swine flu vaccine could help you avoid catching swine flu and then passing the virus to your baby.
How will I know where and when to get my vaccination if I am in the priority groups?
If you are in the priority groups, your local GP or NHS Health Board will write to you and invite you to come and get the vaccine. There is no need for you to contact your GP right away - they will contact you when clinics are set up. In the meantime, if want information about H1N1 vaccination call 0800 1 513 513.
How do you define people with compromised immune systems (Immunocompromised)?
Those who have compromised immune systems (or who are immunocompromised as it is sometimes called) may have disease or ongoing treatment such as:
- Chemotherapy
- Asplenia or splenic dysfunction
- HIV
- Individuals treated with or likely to be treated with systemic steroids for more than a month (at a specified level of dosage)
The 'Immunisation against Infectious Disease: Green Book' provides further information (on page seven) on the definition of immunocompromised individuals
How do you define a 'household contact'?
A household contact is defined as any person sharing the same living accommodation where continuing close contact is unavoidable.
I'm worried about swine flu (H1N1) but I'm not in a priority group - what should I do?
People in the priority groups are most at risk of becoming seriously ill from H1N1. Most other people may only suffer mild symptoms.
If you think you may have swine flu (H1N1), stay at home and check your symptoms either on www.nhs24.com or you can call the swine flu information number on 0800 1 513 513 to hear the latest advice. Alternatively contact your GP or NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24
Do I still need the vaccination if I have already had H1N1/swine flu?
You can only be certain that you've had swine flu if it was confirmed by a laboratory test. Otherwise you may have had normal flu or something else. You should still have the vaccination particularly if you are in the priority groups. If you are in doubt, speak to your GP.
I have previously taken antiviral medication (e.g. Tamiflu or Relenza), do I still need the vaccination?
Antiviral medicine will not protect you from a further wave of the H1N1 virus. You should still have the vaccination particularly if you are in the priority groups.
Will the vaccine give me swine flu (H1N1)?
No, the vaccine does not carry a 'live' virus so it can't give you flu.
Can the H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine?
Yes, the H1N1 vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccinations including the seasonal flu vaccine. The vaccines should be administered at a different site on the body – i.e. your other arm.
Is vaccination compulsory?
No, vaccination against H1N1 is not compulsory however we strongly recommend vaccination if you are in the priority groups in order to protect you from the virus. As with all vaccines, the H1N1 vaccine is entirely voluntary and operates on the basis of informed consent, which means individuals have the right to know what the vaccination involves and the risks and benefits before they consent to vaccination for themselves or any children in their care.
Why aren't otherwise healthy children in your priority groups?
The first priority groups for vaccination will be those people with clinical risk factors, who are at risk of developing serious complications from the virus, as well as some front line health and social care staff who may be at risk of greater exposure to the virus by virtue of the nature of their work. If a child has an underlying health condition and usually receives the seasonal flu vaccination they are also eligible to receive the swine flu (H1N1) vaccination. The Scottish Government will continue to consider the need for other groups to be vaccinated beyond the initial priority groups in the next phase of the vaccination programme. The virus strain will continue to be closely monitored over the coming months and further decisions will be informed by independent scientific advice.
Is this because you won't have enough vaccine early enough to vaccinate otherwise healthy children alongside the clinical at-risk groups?
No, the Scottish Government is still expecting supplies of the vaccine sufficient enough to vaccinate the entire Scottish population if required. However it is right that we focus initially on clinical at-risk groups and make every effort to vaccinate them as swiftly as possible before shifting our efforts to vaccinating those other individuals who are at less risk of contracting severe illness.
What about the rest of the population?
Preparations are continuing to extend the programme beyond these initial priority groups and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have advised that the use of the vaccine in the wider population should depend on the evolution of the pandemic as well as new and emerging clinical data on the use of the vaccine. We will continue to monitor the virus closely over the next few months and review plans as necessary.