DoH denies setting date for swine flu vaccination programme
By Sanjay Tanday, 08 October 2009
The DoH has denied that it has set a date for practices in England to receive the first batches of the swine flu vaccine, despite sending out a letter stating that practices could receive the vaccine by the 19 October.
Photograph: LEA PATERSON/SPL
The letter sent to PCTs in England last week by Professor David Salisbury, director of immunisation at the DoH, states that acute and mental health trusts will be the first to receive the vaccine.
The letter adds that PCTs could expect to start receiving the jabs by 14 October and practices by the 19 October at the earliest.
But speaking at a briefing in London last week, Professor Salisbury said that the dates were designed to show the NHS the length of time it takes for the jabs to become available.
‘It is conditional. We are dependent entirely on the manufacturers.'
The CMO for England Sir Liam Donaldson added that he anticipated that the vaccination programme would begin in the second half of October.
‘There are dates floating around, but we are not tying ourselves to any dates,' said Sir Liam.
- Pregnant women key priority group for swine flu jab after deaths
- Swine flu vaccination programme begins next week
- JCVI discounts swine flu risk of seasonal flu jabs
- Video: Swine flu cases increase steadily
- Dropped QOF indicators may become enhanced services
- Second swine flu jab is approved
- QOF scores hit by patient survey
- Seasonal flu jab offers 'some protection' against swine flu
- Seasonal flu vaccination campaign begins in Scotland
- Scotland funds nurses returning in swine flu pandemic
Quick links
Additional Information
Latest jobs Jobs web feed
- Salaried GP The Practice plc £75-85k FTE +NHS pension, Ely or Leicester
- Regional Clinical Leads The Practice plc Salary £95-105k FTE + NHS pension, Leicester or Sheffield
- Salaried/Lead GPs Malling Health Competitive, role dependant, NHS Pension and defence fees reimbursed, Nationwide
- Newly qualified GP's dr-locums £70 an hour plus, Nationwide
- Full Time Partner (9 sessions) Charnwood Community Medical Group Equal share partner, Loughborough, LEICS
- Locum GP Meddoc Locums £600-£800 A day, London & Essex
Most read
- Health secretary says GPs have 'ethical duty' to save NHS costs
- GPs face 'outcomes targets overload', patient group warns
- LMCs Conference 2012 - Live Blog
- QOF errors trigger £1,000 top ups and clawbacks
- Women to be screened later for cervical cancer in Scotland and Wales
- LMCs conference 2012 - Full coverage
Most commented
MIMS Drug Search
Possible searches include drugs (by brand, generic ingredient or drug class), diseases and more.
