11:40am Wednesday 11th November 2009
SWINE flu vaccines have now been received in Dudley, with health bosses urging those at risk to have the jab.
The vaccination has started to be rolled out to GP surgeries across the borough and letters are beginning to be sent to residents classed as priority patients, who are in “at risk groups”.
At risk patients are those aged between six months and 65 years old who have chronic issues such as respiratory, heart, kidney, liver or neurological diseases as well as diabetes requiring insulin.
Other Dudley residents urged to get the H1N1 swine flu jab are pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.
Not everyone in the borough will get their vaccine at exactly the same time but if residents think they are in the at risk groups and do not hear from their GP in the next month, they are urged to contact the surgery and arrange an appointment.
Speaking at Central Dudley Area Committee, Director of Public Health Val Little said: “I urge everyone who gets a letter to go and get the vaccine. This is a means of getting protected.
“This virus isn’t going away, but the disease is generally mild for most people."
Front line NHS workers across the borough have also started receiving the jab.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.dudleynews.co.uk