The Department of Health has announced it intends to begin rolling out the programme to children in this age group by mid-December, as well as to adults caring for elderly or disabled people.

While the British Medical Association "welcomed" the announcement on children's vaccination, Londonderry GP and deputy chairman of the BMA's General Practitioner Committee, Dr Tom Black added: "GPs are extremely disappointed that Minister McGimpsey did not consult with us before this announcement.

"There has been no agreement with GPs to deliver the second phase of the vaccination programme.

"As doctors at the centre of the vaccination agenda, we believe that this programme should be planned, agreed and resourced through the four country process."

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey made the announcement as he revealed the virus has claimed the lives of another two adults. Both were said to have underlying health problems.

The Minister expressed his sympathies to the families of the two patients. This brings to 13 the number of lives lost to swine flu in the Province.

The weekly figures on swine flu released yesterday showed signs that the health sector was having some success in combating it as cases continue to fall.

It was reported that 24 people were hospitalised over the last week, a fall on the 50 cases from the week before and the 87 recorded in the previous week.

In addition, anti-viral prescriptions fell to 857 cases last week, a 38 per cent fall from the 1,374 cases recorded in the previous week.
GP appointments were also said to have decreased by 53 per cent over the last week.

It has also been decided that the main carers for elderly or disabled people, whose welfare may be at risk if their carer falls ill, should also be encouraged to take up the vaccination.