All schoolchildren may be vaccinated against swine flu

Owen Bowcott
London Guardian
Friday, Nov 6th, 2009

All healthy schoolchildren may be vaccinated against swine flu, the Department of Health revealed today, as it issued guidance on how to help pregnant women who catch the infection.

Confirmation that the government is considering extending the vaccination programme came as the Conservatives called for all pupils to be immunised against the H1N1 virus.

Cases of the disease in England increased only marginally this week to 84,000, according to official estimates. The latest figures show 154 people have died from swine flu – 105 in England, eight in Wales, 31 in Scotland and 10 in Northern Ireland. Seventeen people have died in the UK in the past week.

The chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, confirmed the government’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is examining whether to extend the vaccination programme.

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