We need a swine flu vaccine soon

DESPITE the best efforts of the healthcare services, the bid to contain swine flu to hospitals has failed.

The virus has unfortunately spread into the community, with suspected cases reported at Bexhill High School, St Richard's Community College and Ninfield Primary School.

This, of course, is nobody's fault. It would be so easy to panic and point fingers but the only thing we can do as a community is battle this out as best we can.

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Mike Conn, principal of Bexhill High, makes a good point with the timing of the outbreak '“ if swine flu was going to hit, it's best in the summer months when people are generally healthier.

Also, the schools break up this week.

Now that containment is no longer an option, the government's guidelines on dealing with the virus has changed.

The idea of having "flu friends" '“ people who are able to pick up medication such as Tamiflu for those who think they have swine flu '“ is an interesting one.

It shows that we all have a duty to family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues to help out if needed.

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Those at greatest risk from swine flu are the elderly, the very young and those with underlying health problems.

And those people who are more vulnerable because they are isolated '“ for example elderly people who have no family '“ are going to need especial care.

The schools are doing everything right by reassuring parents through letters, keeping in contact with families whose children may have contracted the virus, and carrying on as normal.

Bexhill High knows the drill because the school has seen tuberculosis before and acting principal at St Richard's, Doreen Cronin, seems to have the situation well in hand.

Hopefully, doctors will be able to develop a safe vaccine soon.

That would ease the burden of worry for a great many people.