I have recently received many letters from my constituents involving the pandemic of the swine flu. I want to keep people updated on what is being done by the Government and the best solutions available for avoiding the flu.

It is clear that some groups of people are more vulnerable than others in developing complications from swine flu. Based on recent independent advice from experts in the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the Government is introducing a vaccination program which benefits those who are part of groups with the highest risk factor:

• Individuals aged six months and up to 65 years in the current season flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups
• All pregnant women
• Household contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• People of the age of 65 and over in the current season flu vaccine clinical at risk groups.

The JCVI will constantly keep watch on the evidence and trends of the pandemic and will further advice about any extension to the vaccination programme in the light of emerging data.

Frontline health and social care workers are people who are being offered the swine flu vaccine as they are at an increased risk of exposure to the virus and a greater risk of transmitting the virus to vulnerable patients.

The two flu vaccines that the Government has ordered are from GlaxosSmithKline and Baxter. Both are licensed for use by the European authorities. The Government has received some initial supplies of the vaccine and based on manufacturers’ predictions, they will have a sufficient amount of vaccines for all people in those priority groups before Christmas.

The Government is offering the vaccine to pregnant women, who are more at risk of developing complications from the flu than the general public. Both vaccines have been approved for use on pregnant women and it only requires one dose so they do not have to wait two to three week for a second injection.

The National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) continues to provide help for people in England who have symptoms of swine flue with a speedy and efficient access to advice. The service is available online at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu or by telephone at 0800 1 513 100.

On behalf of the Government, I would like to thank all those involved in helping us to respond so effectively on the swine flu pandemic. The Government has been preparing for the pandemic for some years and will ensure that they take every opportunity to learn from this experience in order to continue to develop their planning and response in this and any future flu pandemics.