THE first batch of swine flu vaccines has arrived at GP surgeries in Bolton.

Vulnerable people across the borough should now be contacted by their doctors to arrange times for an appointment.

A programme is already under way at the Royal Bolton Hospital to protect staff, and employees of NHS Bolton, the primary care trust, will be offered the vaccine from today.

Latest figures show the number of anti-virals issued to people in the town fell slightly last week.

The primary care trust says medication was picked up for 575 patients in the week ending Sunday, compared to 618 during the previous week.

The attention is now on immunising health workers and patients in priority groups, including people with chronic conditions and those with weakened im-mune systems.

Jan Hutchinson, director of public health at NHS Bolton, said: “The number of anti-virals being given out daily is pretty steady — it is not increasing by any great amount.

“Our focus is now on immunising health staff and priority group patients. We really want to encourage people to have it. It is a very good option as a way of protecting yourselves.”

Delivery of the swine flu vaccine to GPs will be complete by mid-November.

Doctors will offer it to at-risk patients, including pregnant women, asthmatics and people with diabetes and heart conditions.

If you are usually contacted about a seasonal flu jab, you are likely to be asked to be invited to have both this year.

If you have to arrange getting the seasonal flu vaccine, get in touch with your GP.

Anyone who thinks they may have swine flu should visit direct. gov.uk/pandemicflu or call 0800 1513 513 for information or 0800 1513 100 for treatment.

cherry.thomas@ theboltonnews.co.uk