Jury still out on swine 'flu programme

AN evaluation of the swine ‘flu vaccination programme in Warrington has not yet been completed – but more than 18,000 vaccinations were given in the first three months of the campaign.
This has been revealed by NHS Warrington in response to a series of questions by the borough council’s health and wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee.
It was in January that the committee decided to seek more information from NHS Warrington.
Replies have now been received – and reveal that according to data from GP practices across the borough, 18,180 vaccinations were given.
Two vaccines were given – Pandemrix and Celvapan.
Pandemrix was given to 6,446 patients aged 65 or more, 96 of who received a second dose and 11,721 to patients aged under 65, of who 340 received second doses.
Celvapan was given to two patients aged 65 or more and 11 under 65, four of who received second doses.
Cost of the programme was borne by the Primary Care Trust, apart from direct payments to GP Practices by the Department of Health. The programme commenced in October and is still ongoing.
Vaccines were administered to front line health staff by personnel from the PCT and Community Service Unit and the majority received their vaccination before Christmas, with a mop up session for staff requiring two doses.
Vaccine was also made available for staff at the local private hospital.
GPs and other core service providers were consulted and the availability of Tamiflu was managed by the medicines management team at the PCT . A local communications plan was developed and carried out by the PCT.
In response to the questions about what could have been done better and how the effectiveness of the programme would be assessed, NHS Warrington say the evaluation of the programme is not yet complete.
The responses will be considered at a meeting of the overview and scrutiny committee next Tuesday.