TREATMENT for swine flu sufferers will change in west Essex this week.
On Wednesday (February 10) the National Pandemic Flu Service, which has been running since July last year, will close at midnight.
From Thursday, anyone who suspects that they have the virus will need to contact their GP by telephone only - they should not go to their GP practice, pharmacy, walk-in centre or local accident and emergency department.
Doctors will issue a voucher for anti-virals to those suspected of having swine flu and it should be collected by the patient’s “flu friend” -
someone who does not have symptoms.
The medication can then be picked up by the nominee from one of the five community pharmacies in west Essex that are acting as antiviral collection points.
While the number of swine flu cases in west Essex has been relatively low, people in the “at risk” groups are still being encouraged to have the vaccination. Additionally the vaccination programme for young children, aged six months to five years, is continuing.
Alison Cowie, director of public health with NHS West Essex, said: "It is extremely important we do not allow the current low levels of influenza-like illness and the stand down of the National Pandemic Flu Service to lead to a sense of complacency.
“There is still considerable uncertainty about how the virus will behave over the coming months and years. Experts have advised that the H1N1 strain from this pandemic will the predominant influenza virus in the next flu season."
She added: "It is therefore vitally important that people in the at-risk groups - those aged over six months and in the seasonal at-risk groups, pregnant women, those who live with immunocompromised individuals and children aged over six months and under five years - are immunised.
“Letters have been sent to parents and guardians of children aged under five years by the PCT and GP practices over the past few weeks and I encourage them to make an appointment at their GP practice for their child to have a swine flu jab.
”If we can protect many more people before the next flu season starts later on in 2010 then lives can be saved."
The five community pharmacy Antiviral Collection Points in west Essex are: Metwest Pharmacy, 7-8 Staple Tye, Harlow (01279 420658) Oakwood Pharmacy, 118 Roding Road, Loughton (020 8508 1138) Potter Street Pharmacy, 12 Prentice Place, Potter Street, Harlow (01279 422909) Thaxted Pharmacy, 3 Town Street, Thaxted (01371 830260) Addison Healthcare, Ground Floor, Wych Elm House, Hamstel Road, Harlow (01279 626786).