Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Scots swine flu death toll rises
The 58-year-old woman had underlying health problems
A 58-year-old woman from the Borders has died from swine flu, bringing the number of deaths in Scotland to 17.
The patient is said to have had significant underlying health problems but no further details are being released, at the request of her family.
The death comes as a mass swine flu vaccination programme has begun, with at-risk groups the first to be offered the immunisation.
A total of 1.3 million people will get the first access to the H1N1 vaccine.
The priority groups for vaccination in Scotland include social care and health workers, pregnant women, people with asthma, diabetes and those having cancer treatment.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon offered her condolences to the family of the latest victim.
She said: "Tragically there have been 17 H1N1 related deaths in Scotland so far. Today marks the beginning of the vaccine programme and the next step in our battle against the pandemic.
"The first phase of the vaccine programme will be aimed at everyone who falls into the priority groups. I urge everyone who is invited by their GP to take up the vaccine, to help avoid tragedies like this in the future."
She added: "The vaccination programme will have a phased introduction as we get supplies from the manufacturers, but we are confident everyone in the priority groups will be invited, by their own GP, to have the vaccine by Christmas."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8318691.stm
The 58-year-old woman had underlying health problems
A 58-year-old woman from the Borders has died from swine flu, bringing the number of deaths in Scotland to 17.
The patient is said to have had significant underlying health problems but no further details are being released, at the request of her family.
The death comes as a mass swine flu vaccination programme has begun, with at-risk groups the first to be offered the immunisation.
A total of 1.3 million people will get the first access to the H1N1 vaccine.
The priority groups for vaccination in Scotland include social care and health workers, pregnant women, people with asthma, diabetes and those having cancer treatment.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon offered her condolences to the family of the latest victim.
She said: "Tragically there have been 17 H1N1 related deaths in Scotland so far. Today marks the beginning of the vaccine programme and the next step in our battle against the pandemic.
"The first phase of the vaccine programme will be aimed at everyone who falls into the priority groups. I urge everyone who is invited by their GP to take up the vaccine, to help avoid tragedies like this in the future."
She added: "The vaccination programme will have a phased introduction as we get supplies from the manufacturers, but we are confident everyone in the priority groups will be invited, by their own GP, to have the vaccine by Christmas."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8318691.stm