Clare Hogg, senior technical officer in Health’s IT department, who is pregnant, receives her swine flu vaccination from Tarina Le Duc, head of risk management and a registered nurse. Picture: ROB CURRIE (00815193)

THE biggest vaccination programme ever seen in Jersey was launched today as health workers from across the Island were immunised against swine flu.

Clinics were set up at the Chevalier Ward of the Hospital and other sites, including St Saviour’s Hospital and the Le Bas Centre, as the first phase of the long-awaited voluntary immunisation programme was rolled out.

Mobile teams also toured the centres to offer the drug to those who could not attend a clinic. In total, 13 teams comprising 48 staff are delivering the vaccine, which will be offered to 3,000 health workers from hospital porters to doctors and surgeons throughout the week.

All staff are also being offered the seasonal flu vaccine. Pregnant women and children with underlying health conditions will be offered the drug next week. It is hoped that the vaccine will eventually be available to everyone in Jersey.

Dr Linda Diggle, the head of health care programmes who is managing the vaccinations, received the jab yesterday and encouraged others to do the same. She said: ‘This is the biggest vaccination programme ever rolled out in Jersey and I would strongly encourage staff to have the vaccine for their own protection and that of their families and patients.’