Pharmacist assistant Adrian Carter with two of the 8,600 doses of swine flu vaccine from the UK Department of Health. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0868458)

SWINE flu vaccinations in Guernsey start today.

The island has received 8,600 doses from the UK Department of Health. Most have been issued to the Bailiwick’s GP surgeries, which will be carrying most of the vaccinations.

The first islanders to receive the jab today are front-line health-care workers providing direct patient care.

People classified as being most at risk of developing serious complications as a result of catching flu – in line with UK advice – will be contacted soon and invited to receive the single-dose vaccine.

Guernsey will receive further stocks over the next few weeks. The island’s expert pandemic group will monitor take-up before taking a decision on extending the vaccination programme.

Public health director Dr Stephen Bridgman said that there was no need for panic and asked people to wait until they were called by their GP surgery.

‘Priority cases will be dealt with quickly,’ he said. ‘I would strongly advise people in these groups to protect themselves.