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Health chief reveals
immunisation plan
DOZENS more city residents will get swine flu in the next few days – but a vaccine could be ready within three months.
DOZENS more city residents will get swine flu in the next few days – but a vaccine could be ready within three months.At a town hall board meeting of NHS Peterborough yesterday, director of public health in the city Andy Liggins said that the disease was likely to spread now that there have been three confirmed cases in the city.
But although more cases were predicted for the city, there is still no indication of how many will contract the illness.
However, he said that the service was currently preparing for a mass immunisation later in the year.
Mr Liggins said: “The situation currently is that there have been 6,500 cases across the country, and three in Peterborough.
“That number is only likely to grow in the next few weeks.
“However, we are currently preparing for an immunisation programme in the city.
“While there is no vaccine available as yet, scientists are working hard to create one, and it is possible that it could be available as soon as September.”
Mr Liggins also said that while the illness was spreading, the severity of swine flu had not increased – and that while a stockpile of Tamiflu anti-biotics was available in the city, they might only be available to residents in the most at-risk categories, such as the elderly and people who already have medical problems.
Mr Liggins said: “In most cases, swine flu is a mild illness, similar to seasonal flu that affects people every year.
“Only three people in the UK have died from swine flu so far, and they all had significant underlying medical issues beforehand.
“Nationally it is thought that soon the situation will change from containment to mitigation – it is possible that not all people who contract the illness will receive the anti-virals, but just the people in high risk groups.”
This week, NHS Peterborough issued advice to anyone worried that they had contracted the disease.
People who suspect they have swine flu should contact their GP by phone rather than visit the surgery personally.
A friend or relative, who does not have the illness, should then go to the surgery to pick up medication.
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Weather for Peterborough
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
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