SENT ON BEHALF OF TIM DAVIS, SERVICE MANAGER: CHILDREN’S DATA AND POLICY CO-ORDINATION

 CHILDREN'S SERVICES AND LEARNING
STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

Dear Colleague,

Firstly I just want to thank you for your ongoing help in reporting the number of suspected Swine Flu cases in your school. 

The number of Flu like cases continue to rise across the city and our rate of infection is roughly 9th in the Country according to the Chief Medical Officer.  However the predicted impact on the work force has decreased to 5% being infected at peak times. 

The vaccination process for those identified vulnerable and priority groups with other medical issues is now starting in Southampton.  There has been a slight delay in this for Southampton in that the national prioritisation for the distribution of vaccine gave Southampton quite a low priority as it was not influenced by current levels of infection.  There has been no national holding back of vaccine, but production rates are limiting the rate at which vaccine is being distributed. Southampton PCT has not received enough vaccines through to date to embark on a major programme. 

Arrangements for the management of the vaccination process for the wider population process awaits a Governmental decision upon the findings of the research partly carried out by Southampton Wellcome Trust at Southampton University before it begins, but is also subject to the speed at which vaccine can be manufactured.

Please find below a letter from Southampton Community Healthcare regarding the role that school Nurses will have to play in the immunisation programme for H1N1 and the likely impact of this upon School Nurse services in school over the next couple of weeks.  This will relate to the vaccination of the health and care workforce, and disruption to services in schools will be kept to a minimum.