Page updated: 09 Feb 2010
Cases of swine flu falling - but swine flu jabs are still vital
Trafford Primary Care Trust (PCT) is urging those who are eligible to seriously consider having the swine flu vaccine.
This includes people in the original clinical at-risk priority groups, but in addition, parents of healthy children aged between six months and five years are also being asked to consider the vaccine for their children.
Abdul Razzaq, Trafford's public health director, said: "It looks like cases of swine flu are now on the decline, which is fantastic news. But I'm concerned that this might put some people who should get the vaccine off doing so.
"The virus is still circulating, and if people with conditions such as asthma, heart and lung disease, with weakened immune systems or who are pregnant, catch the virus, they can become seriously ill.
"Young children are also particularly at risk of developing complications if they contract the swine flu virus, so it's important for parents to have their child vaccinated."
GPs in Trafford have been vaccinating people with underlying health conditions since October, and are now in the process of inviting parents of all children aged between six months and five years to bring their children to a surgery to receive a vaccine.
Abdul adds, "The swine flu vaccine uses an inactivated form of the virus, so it cannot give your child swine flu. It works by tricking the immune system into thinking it has been infected with the virus so that it creates antibodies against it."
People who are not registered with a GP but who are eligible for a swine flu vaccine should get in touch with a GP practice local to them, and ask to be considered as either a 'temporary resident' or as an 'emergency patient', depending on individual circumstances.
For more information on swine flu or the vaccine, visit www.nhs.uk, www.traffordpct.nhs.uk or get in touch with your family doctor.
Notes to editor:
The following groups are eligible for the swine flu vaccine:
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Adults and children over six months of age who have a long-term health condition, including: chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, chronic neurological diseases, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression caused by a disease or treatment for a disease.
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Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy.
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People who live in the same house as someone whose immune system is compromised by disease or treatment.
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Children aged between six months and five years (more specifically, children born on or after 1 January 2005 who have reached the age of 6 months).