Extra lessons for pupils in how to avoid the virus

Oct 20 2009 Swine Flu

Q. Are children going to be given extra lessons and information on swine flu is schools?

A. There is now a Swine Flu: Information For Schools DVD which consists of guidance for teachers, a section for primary school children featuring TV presenter Andi Peters and a character called Hygenie, plus a section for secondary schools.

The DVD aims to inform children how to stop the spread of swine flu and what to do should they become ill.

It was produced as a partnership project between Birmingham City Council and the city’s three primary care trusts and raises awareness in a fun and informative way.

Q. My daughter has asthma. Does this mean she is in a priority category?

A. If your daughter is normally eligible for the seasonal flu vaccine, she will be eligible for the swine flu vaccine. Just “having” asthma is not enough to qualify however, you need to be on regular preventer treatment e.g. brown or purple inhaler as well as using the reliever inhaler (normally a blue one) when she needs to.

Your GP should be contacting all people who are eligible when the vaccine becomes available.

Q. There has been a lot of coverage about whether the swine flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women, is it?

A. Yes. The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency has given a clear recommendation that the GlaxoSmithKline vaccine can be given safely to pregnant women.

Unfortunately, pregnant women seem to be at an increased risk of complications from swine flu if they catch it so the recommendation is that pregnant women are treated as a priority group for receiving the vaccine.

Q. I have heard there are two injections for swine flu – why is this?

A. It’s the same vaccination but has to be delivered in two parts because of the way it works with our immune systems. If you think about the vaccines that children get, they’re often given in more than one dose.

Q. Is it the same vaccine for adults and children?

A. Yes, the same vaccine is used in adults and children.

Q. How long does the virus live on surfaces?

A. The flu virus can live on a hard surface for up to 24 hours and a soft surface for around 20 minutes.