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Nothing to fear from vaccine
People who are worried about the side effects of the swine flu vaccine have been told there is nothing to worry about.
A survey of 107 GPs in England published in Pulse magazine yesterday revealed that more than half of patients are turning down the swine flu vaccine.
Some were concerned about possible side effects while others believed there was no need to have it because they think the virus is mild.
The poll found that only 46 per cent of patients offered the swine flu vaccine have said yes and pregnant women were particularly resistant.
According to Northamptonshire PCT there has been no feedback from GPs in the county to suggest there has been a problem.
GP at Lakeside Surgery in Corby and a member of the PCT, Dr David Brown, has reassured patients and urged them to have the vaccine.
Dr Brown said that although it is still early days for the vaccination programme, patients should not be worried.
He said: "Worldwide no significant side effects have been reported, and this vaccine is being more closely monitored than any other to date because it is new.
"Supplies have only just arrived so it is very early days, but every practice should now have over 500 vaccinations.
"Our first priority was to vaccinate our practice staff, which has gone very well with a high take-up."
Dr Brown said the next priority group is pregnant women and he is urging them to visit their GP for the vaccine. He said: "Understandably in this group there is always reluctance, even if it is to take paracetamol, but we are pushing ahead and encouraging as many as possible to have the vaccine."
Other at-risk groups, including children and people with other significant health problems, will be contacted by their GPs in due course.
Dr Brown hopes this process will run smoothly.
He said: "There will always be an initial reluctance but there will be a snowball effect so that once one person has had it more will follow."
Yesterday, pregnant NHS staff in Northamptonshire were offered swine flu vaccinations by occupational health teams for the first time.
If patients do have concerns about the vaccine they are urged to contact their GP.
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Weather for Kettering
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
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