UK to implement child flu vaccines program

UK Health Secretary Andrew Lansley yesterday accepted recommendations from UK immunization experts to extend the flu vaccination program to all children, meaning the UK will become the first country to offer a comprehensive program to extend the flu vaccine to all children, free of charge, according to the Department of Health.

Children in at- risk groups – such as those with asthma, heart conditions or cerebral palsy – are already eligible to receive the flu vaccine on the National Health Service. Once the program is up and running the vaccine will be offered to all children aged two to around 17 years on the NHS.

The decision comes after Mr Lansley asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI), a body of independent experts who advise the government, to look at the evidence around extending the program. A number of key aspects now need to be looked at. The most significant challenge will be in sourcing enough new vaccine as there is only one manufacturer and they will not have the capacity to deliver enough new vaccine until 2014 at the very earliest.