Swine flu threat has not disappeared

The national pandemic influenza immunisation programme was launched in North Yorkshire in November last year to protect the most vulnerable patients and in an attempt to prevent a widespread outbreak.

While evidence has emerged that the number of swine flu cases is declining nationally, senior officials at the primary care trust, NHS North Yorkshire and York, have urged the public to take advantage of the free injections.

The county has seen poor take-up rates, with only about 15 per cent of eligible over-65s having the jab. Data has also shown that only about a fifth of other at-risk groups in the county, including pregnant mothers, in the county have so far come forward.

Anyone in the high risk groups is urged to contact their GP surgery to organise an appointment to be vaccinated.