HEALTH is likely to ask for an extra £300,000 next year to cope with swine flu outbreaks.

The cost of vaccinating the island population was highlighted in the States Strategic Plan report.

Swine flu cases have been on the rise recently in the UK and director of public health Dr Stephen Bridgman (pictured) has warned people to expect an increase locally during the winter.

The Strategic Plan sets out eight projects that represent new services considered essential for next year.

These include an inquiry into the airport firefighter dispute, improving mental health services and employing four extra lawyers at St James’ Chambers. However, one of those eight could be dropped if the States decided it was vital to immunise the whole population should a vaccine become available.

That moved a step closer yesterday after two swine flu vaccines received EU approval, although licensing still needs to be formalised. Dr Bridgman said Guernsey was expecting to receive some stocks of the vaccine towards the end of the year when they are received by the NHS.

Strategic Plan working party chairman Charles Parkinson said yesterday that the group was informed of the potential expense of a swine flu vaccine only after the final list had been decided.