DH announces vaccine priority list for those most at risk of swine flu

The Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham, this week announced that more than 11 million people in England will be targeted for vaccination against swine flu.

The priority groups who will be first in line will include pregnant women, frontline health and social care workers, and everyone in at-risk groups aged over six months.

This follows advice from independent experts on who should be first in line for vaccination.

Nicola Sturgeon, Health Secretary in Scotland also made a similar announcement with a further 1.4million being vaccinated in this first stage of the programme in Scotland.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation reviewed the evidence and advised the Health Departments across the UK on the crucial risk groups to be offered vaccination in order to reduce the rate or possibility of serious illness.

This advice was also scrutinised and endorsed by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). Ministers in all four nations have accepted this advice and are now working with BMA and NHS organisations to reach a comprehensive vaccine implementation for this first stage of the programme.

The following groups will be prioritised in this order

· People aged over six months and under 65 years in current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups

· All pregnant women, subject to licensing conditions on trimesters

· 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.

Vaccination of frontline health and social care workers will begin at the same time as the first at-risk group, and will continue for as long as necessary. This group is at increased risk of infection and of transmitting that infection to susceptible patients. Protecting these people will help the NHS workforce to remain resilient and able to treat sick patients.

It is hoped the vaccination programme will begin in the Autumn, subject to the vaccine being licensed by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). This organisation has strict processes in place for licensing pandemic vaccines and the vaccine will not be used until it is licensed. Vaccination will start as soon as possible once licenses have been granted and manufacturers anticipate this may happen in late September or early October.

Preparations continue to be made to extend the programme beyond these initial priority groups, and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation will consider this matter further and report back in due course.

Online advice service for first-time parents launched

A free interactive online advice service to help first-time parents care for their babies has been launched by the Department of Health (DH).

NHS Baby LifeCheck has been designed to provide mothers, fathers and carers of children aged five to eight months with information and advice.

The online service rolled out nationally this week will give parents and carers access to advice through a set of multiple choice questions. The service offers advice and reassurance on making the best decisions for their child.

Topics covered include development, talking and playing, feeding, healthy teeth, safety, sleep routine, immunisations and being a parent.

Created in consultation with parents, NHS Baby LifeCheck will provide tips, helpful videos and details of organisations that can support people across a range of issues, from weaning worries to feeling down or lonely. NHS Baby LifeCheck recognises that being the mum or dad of a young baby can sometimes be a challenge and intends to

reach out to parents who might not otherwise access health services, as well as those looking for advice on specific issues.

Further information can be found at www.babylifecheck.co.uk

NICE Consultation on guidance for multiple pregnancy announced

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have been asked to develop a clinical practice guideline on Multiple pregnancy for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The draft scope defines what aspects of care the guideline will cover and to whom it will apply. Registered stakeholders for this guideline are invited to submit comments on the scope and may suggest clinical questions that could be answered in the guideline.

Individuals and organisations not registered as stakeholders are not able to comment, we recommend that you register as a stakeholder or you contact the registered stakeholder organisation that most closely represents your interests and pass your comments to them.

· List of registered stakeholders

· Information on the progress for this guideline topic

Consultation dates: 28 July – 24 August 2009

Consultation documents

· Draft scope

· Comments