Human influenza pandemic news
This page carries the latest updates from DCSF. For more detailed information, see the emergency planning guidance and the questions and answers. You can also read about past updates.
27 October 2009
Message from the Secretary of State, Ed Balls
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has advised that swine flu
continues to be a largely mild illness, and the Health Service has responded in
a proportionate and timely fashion to the threat. There is no sign yet of
any major change in the pattern or severity of the illness. On that basis, the
CMO has confirmed that our advice to schools of 26
August remains our best advice: individual school closures are now of
limited benefit in stopping the spread of the disease. However, it is essential
that adults or children with flu-like symptoms should stay away until they are
free of those symptoms.
We do know that some groups are particularly vulnerable to any illness,
including swine flu. This can include some children and young people with
particular health conditions, including some complex disabilities such as
cerebral palsy, that can make it more difficult for them to fight off
viruses. We are therefore providing, alongside guidance for mainstream
schools, guidance for special schools. This advises them to seek Health
Protection Agency advice when they have cases, so that the HPA can advise what
measures to take, which may in some cases mean a temporary closure to reduce
the risk to vulnerable children.
There is now a vaccine available and distribution has begun. I want to
ensure that parents of pupils with these conditions have all the help and
advice that they need to be aware that their children are being given a high
priority for early access to vaccinations. It is for parents to decide
whether their child should get vaccinated, but it is right that schools are
aware of the programme and support the CMO's advice that children and staff
in at-risk groups should respond positively when invited to get the vaccine.
For that reason, the Health Protection Agency has now made available guidance
— versions for special schools and mainstream schools — that you
can find at www.hpa.org.uk/swineflu/specialschools.
Further information from 29 October
Further to the Health Protection Agency advice mentioned above, we
have added some Q&A on vaccination to the Q&A
section. We have also put back in Q&A on examinations, with minor revisions
from the guidance published in the summer term.
