Sturgeon's pledge on vaccine jabs as Scots swine flu death toll hits 14

Published on Monday 12 October 2009 22:07

TWO more people have died after contracting swine flu, the Scottish Government confirmed yesterday. The 48-year-old man from Greater Glasgow and Clyde and an 81-year-old Fife woman, both unnamed, had the H1N1 strain.

While the man had "significant underlying health conditions" that contributed to his death, H1N1 was said to be a "contributory factor" in the death of the pensioner. The number of deaths linked to the swine flu virus in Scotland since the start of the outbreak is now 14.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of both patients.

"Vaccination is the best defence we have against the H1N1 virus, and Scotland is preparing for the first phase of the vaccination programme, which is due to start later this month."

Meanwhile, health advisers at Westminster said the vaccine was safe for pregnant women and could give a child some protection against the disease.