Information on the swine flu vaccine

The swine flu vaccination programme began on 21 October 2009, with the highest-risk groups being offered the vaccine first.

If you have any questions about the swine flu vaccine or about receiving the vaccination, please read this page carefully.

This page explains who will get the swine flu vaccine and why, the vaccination programme, effectiveness of the vaccine, and safety issues.

Who will get the vaccine?

The groups of people who are most vulnerable to serious illness from swine flu will be offered the vaccine first. In order of priority, these are:

People aged between six months and 65 years in the seasonal flu vaccine at-risk groups (listed below).
All pregnant women.
People who live with someone whose immune system is compromised (for example, people with cancer or HIV/AIDS).
People aged 65 and over in the seasonal flu vaccine at-risk groups.
Young children aged over six months and under five years.

Frontline health and social care workers will also be offered the vaccine at the same time as the first clinical at-risk groups. Health and social care workers both have an increased risk of catching swine flu and of spreading it to other at-risk patients.