Britain launches mass swine flu jab programme
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain launched a mass vaccination programme to prevent the further spread of swine flu Wednesday, with officials urging healthcare workers and at-risk patients to be first in line.
The jab will be available to more than 11 million people deemed at highest risk from catching swine flu, who will be contacted by their doctors.
As well as health workers, those who it is suggested should take up the vaccination include all pregnant women, some over 65s and people who live with those who have weakened immune systems due to, for example, cancer treatment.
Patients will be vaccinated with Pandemrix, made by British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline, which says it has received orders for 440 million doses ahead of the northern hemisphere's winter which could bring a second wave of the virus.
"This is the first pandemic for which we have had vaccine to protect people," said Liam Donaldson, the British government's top medical adviser.
"I urge everyone in the priority groups to have the vaccine -- it will help prevent people in clinical risk groups from getting swine flu and the complications that may arise from it."
Britain is also offering swine flu vaccinations to all its 9,000 troops in Afghanistan to protect them from a possible mass outbreak, the Ministry of Defence said last week.
Britain is the hardest hit country in Europe by the A(H1N1) virus. The number of Britons with the virus who have died has risen to 106, according to the latest figures, released last week.
kah/mt/ach
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments