Swine Flu Vaccination programme

A national public information campaign is planned for November onwards to explain to patients in the priority groups (see my update of last week) the importance of having the vaccination.

Hertfordshire

The PCT is seeing similar numbers of people collecting antivirals as last week – under 100 across the county per day. Nationally we know there has been a significant jump in the numbers of people using the flu service over the past week, but this increase is not currently being felt in Hertfordshire.

A number of further pharmacies have joined the expanding antiviral collection point (ACP) network, bringing the total number of ACPs in Hertfordshire to eleven. The local ACPs are at:

Hatfield – Asda Pharmacy (8am to 10pm, Mon to Sat; 10am to 4pm, Sunday)

Hemel Hempstead – Lloyds Pharmacy (8.30am to 9pm, Mon to Fri 9am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday)

Rickmansworth – Delite Chemist (10am to 6pm, Mon to Fri; 10am to 3pm, Saturday; Closed, Sunday)

Stevenage – Asda Pharmacy (9am to 10pm, Monday; 8am to 10pm, Tues to Fr; 8am to 9pm Saturday; 10am to 4pm, Sunday)

Watford – Boots – Waterfields Retail Park, (8am to midnight, Mon to Sat; 11am to 5pm, Sunday)

The NHS in Hertfordshire, along with all other areas of the country, has agreed plans with the Department of Health to double critical care capacity, should it be required at the height of the next pandemic wave.

The Council continues to assess the position on an on-going basis, and weekly at the Chief Executive’s Board meeting.