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All children under 17 could be immunised against flu in a new effort by the NHS to limit the number of people affected by the illness.
The government's advisers on vaccination are considering whether to recommend the move after health secretary Andrew Lansley asked them to investigate whether protection against flu should be offered to groups other than those who already get a free jab because they are defined as at-risk from the virus.
They include children who have a health condition that makes them more likely to develop serious complications as a result of catching flu. If implemented, the change in policy would see all healthy under-17s offered vaccination as well, probably from next winter, but in the form of nose drops rather than an injection.
The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) has already assessed a study by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) which concluded it might be cost-effective to vaccinate healthy children in order to reduce the spread of flu. They are undertaking further research before reaching a final decision, which may come at their next scheduled meeting in February.
If the JCVI does recommend the switch, ministers are likely to endorse their judgement and add under-17s across the UK to the list of at-risk groups, which currently includes about 16m people.
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From 1 December, ECMO facilities will be set up at four other hospital trusts in England: Guy's and St Thomas's in London; Papworth hospital in Cambridge; the Royal Brompton and Harefield hospital trust, London; and University Hospitals of South Manchester NHS Trust. Together, the five facilities will be able to treat 30 patients with breathing-related complications at any one time.
The government's advisers on vaccination are considering whether to recommend the move after health secretary Andrew Lansley asked them to investigate whether protection against flu should be offered to groups other than those who already get a free jab because they are defined as at-risk from the virus.
They include children who have a health condition that makes them more likely to develop serious complications as a result of catching flu. If implemented, the change in policy would see all healthy under-17s offered vaccination as well, probably from next winter, but in the form of nose drops rather than an injection.
The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) has already assessed a study by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) which concluded it might be cost-effective to vaccinate healthy children in order to reduce the spread of flu. They are undertaking further research before reaching a final decision, which may come at their next scheduled meeting in February.
If the JCVI does recommend the switch, ministers are likely to endorse their judgement and add under-17s across the UK to the list of at-risk groups, which currently includes about 16m people.
...
From 1 December, ECMO facilities will be set up at four other hospital trusts in England: Guy's and St Thomas's in London; Papworth hospital in Cambridge; the Royal Brompton and Harefield hospital trust, London; and University Hospitals of South Manchester NHS Trust. Together, the five facilities will be able to treat 30 patients with breathing-related complications at any one time.
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