South Essex kids can now get swine flu jab (From Echo)

South Essex kids can now get swine flu jab

6:00am Monday 21st December 2009 in

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SWINE flu jabs for the under fives are to finally be rolled out across south Essex after a deal was reached with local GPs.

The region is one of the first in the country to reach agreement with doctors after a row broke out over funding.

The programme for healthy tots over six months and under five years was thrown into chaos earlier this month when no national agreement on pay could be reached with doctors.

The Department of Health left it to regional strategic health authorities to work out a deal with its own GPs.

Now the East of England strategic health authority has worked with doctors locally and unions to agree a fee of £5.25 per jab.

Mums are pleased the scheme, which started on Friday, is finally happening, but are frustrated it took so long.

Mum of three Sarah Campling, of Thorpdene Gardens, Shoebury, said: “I think it’s good it’s available, but if they were that worried it should be available to everybody, not just children and people with asthma or heart problems.

“I don’t know yet if I’ll let my children have it, as I don’t know whether it’s safe. They came up with a vaccine so quickly it concerns me. I’ll be giving it a lot of thought first.”

Hazel Thomson, spokeswoman for the strategic health authority, said: “NHS East of England, in discussion with primary care trust chief executives, has reached a regional agreement with the five local medical committees in the region, which will enable the delivery of phase two of the swine influenza vaccination programme for children.”

At risk groups have already been offered the vaccine.

In south west Essex there were no new cases of swine flu in the week beginning December 7, while in south east Essex there were 21.

Further information about swine flu and its symptoms is available on 0800 1513513 or at www.nhs.uk.