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The Government today ordered two drug giants to produce 90 million doses of swine flu vaccine as it moves to head off a possible pandemic.
With experts warning that the virus could strike most fiercely next winter, the Department of Health told Glaxo-SmithKline and Baxter to begin production “as soon as possible”.
The decision to ensure that everyone in Britain can get the vaccine comes one day after the Government revealed that seven more patients have swine flu, taking the total to 78.
The Department of Health says the deals signed with the drug companies “provide enough vaccine to protect the most vulnerable in our population before a pandemic is likely to arrive”.
Drug makers think it will take between four and six months to produce the vaccine once the virus seed is made available by the World Health Organisation.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said there was no cause for panic: “The localised cases of swine flu found in the UK have so far been mild.”
Meanwhile, a private nursery school in Belgravia has been closed following a suspected swine flu outbreak.
Two four-year-olds at the £1,740-a-term Eaton Square Nursery and Pre-Prep School are expected to be confirmed as having the virus today.
The school will be closed until 1 June.
Meanwhile, another London school has been closed because of swine flu.
Barnes Primary School in Richmond was shut today because of the virus, taking the total number of schools closed in the capital to four.
Four more children have also been diagnosed with swine flu - three girls from Blackheath Preparatory school in Greenwich and one boy from Hampton school.
Both of those schools were closed earlier this week, while Eaton Square nursery in Westminster has also been shut today.
There are now 47 confirmed cases of swine flu in the capital.
All students and staff are being given anti-viral drugs.
Reader views (6)
You idiots! One dose is one dose. Usually one treatment takes about 20 doses. One dose isn't going to cure you of flu. Are you really that stupid? So the truth of the matter is, 90 million doses will only cover about 25 million people, which is less than half our 60 million population. Use your bloody brains!
- Daniel, Wiltshire, 13/07/2009 04:18
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the extra ones are being sold on Ebay to finance the MP's private expenses
- Josh, London, 16/05/2009 00:31
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Only 2 weeks ago the government was telling us it was well prepared!!!
So why is it only placing the orders now?
It must have lied to us again, this time about its preparations.
Bring on the election.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 15/05/2009 15:16
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The school is not closed.....? I know the children are there now!!
- Tancred, London, UK, 15/05/2009 15:05
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90 Million? Are the government stating that they have increased our population by 30 Million over the past 10 years - it certainly feels like it.
- Jane Bewick, London, 15/05/2009 14:30
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So 78 out of some 60 million of us in the UK have Swine Flu yet our dear Government have ordered 90 million vaccines in case it speads! Are they saying that there are 90 million of us here in the UK? (I know no one knows correct number)BET SOME LABOUR MP OR OTHER MINISTER IS ON THE BOARD OF THE DRUG COMPANY BEING USED!!
- Mike, London England, 15/05/2009 14:09
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