Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety

PRESS RELEASE

19 February 2010

HSSPS 03/09/10

SWINE FLU VACCINES STILL A PRIORITY SAYS COMMITTEE

Continued vigilance to prevent swine flu is still essential and those at risk should still be vaccinated. That’s the message from the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety which discussed the progress of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s vaccination programme.

Speaking about the need for vaccinations, Deputy Chairperson, Michelle O’Neill MLA said: “While the staff in the Department of Health should be commended for the tireless work they have carried out in order to implement the successful vaccination programme against swine flu, it must be stressed that the virus is still circulating.

“The Committee would emphasise the need for people in at-risk groups, pregnant women and the under 5s who have not yet been vaccinated to get their vaccination.”

ENDS

Note to Editors

1. The Department of Health releases a weekly Swine Flu Bulletin, which highlights the progress of the Departments vaccination programme. It has shown a slight decrease in swine flu infection.

Committee Membership

Mr Jim Wells MLA Chairperson

Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA Deputy Chairperson
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
Mrs Dolores Kelly MLA
Mr Conall McDevitt MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MBE, MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA

For media enquiries please contact:

Debra Savage
Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Tel. 028 90521405
Mobile 07920 864221
Email: debra.savage@niassembly.gov.uk
Website archive.niassembly.gov.uk