Children aged between six months and five years old with under lying health conditions should now have already received their swine flu vaccination along with others in the priority groups.
The vaccination is currently being offered to otherwise healthy children aged between six months and five years old.
Parents of children in this age group will be called for vaccination.
Children under five years of age are more likely than other age groups to be hospitalised if they become ill with swine flu. This is why we are extending the vaccination programme to young children. This is supported by the panel of experts that provide advice on vaccination issues - the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. (JCVI)
Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride said: "Vaccination remains a personal choice, but I urge every parent whose child is offered the vaccine to accept it and protect their children.
"While the risks of serious complications from flu may be small, the impact on those affected can be devastating. I would emphasise that the benefits of vaccination far out-weigh any risks."
Most children now only require one injection of the swine flu vaccine
Based on medical and scientific experience of using the swine flu vaccine the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has now issued updated JCVI advice on the recommended dosage for children aged over six months and under ten years of age.
Children aged over six months and below ten years of age who are healthy or in the clinical at risk groups will receive
Children aged over six months and below ten years of age who have a weakened immune system will receive
Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride said "This change in dosage is good news for parents and children as most will only require one dose of vaccine. We now have enough information about the effectiveness of the vaccine to know that one dose will provide good protection against infection. On balance it was decided that a second dose was not required given the good response to the first dose."
"Children with weakened immune systems will still require two doses of Pandemrix."
Health and well-being
