Council office could be emergency swine flu distribution centre (From This Is Local London)

Council office could be emergency swine flu distribution centre

7:50am Wednesday 28th October 2009

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A COUNCIL office has been earmarked as a centre for the distribution of antiviral medication in case the need for mass swine flu treatment arises.

The basement area of Hertsmere Borough Council's Civic Offices, in Elstree Way, Borehamwood, has been selected by the council as an appropriate facility because of its accessibility and size.

Council spokeswoman Catherine Feast said: "The area is large enough for us to process as many people as possible, so we are prepared in case mass Tamiflu and Relenza distribution is required."

If necessary the basement's meeting rooms will be cleared to make way for distribution, and the area will be accessed via the back of the civic offices to minimise disruption.

Rose Child, from NHS West Hertfordshire, said: "Community pharmacies have also been earmarked as distribution centres."

She said in Hertfordshire, approximately 100 people are collecting antiviral medication from one of 17 collection points each day.

These numbers are relatively low, especially compared to the peak in the summer where 700 to 800 people were collecting antivirals every day.

To limit the spread of infection, antivirals are distributed to so-called 'flu friends', uninfected friends and family of sufferers who collect the medication from centres on behalf of those who need it.

GPs around the country will start to receive their initial stocks of the vaccine this week, and once stocks arrive it is likely that practices will start inviting patients to come in for their jab in November.

GPs will be writing to all their patients who fall into one of the priority groups to invite them to attend a vaccination clinic at the practice.

The priority groups are people aged between six months and 65 years in the seasonal flu vaccine at-risk groups, all pregnant women, people who live with someone whose immune system is compromised, and people aged 65 and over in the seasonal flu vaccine at-risk groups.

At the same time as practices receive their vaccine, each PCT will take delivery of 500 doses to vaccinate front line health and social care staff.

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