Since the outbreak of Pandemic(H1N1) 2009 influenza virus (Human Swine Flu), Queensland Health has been working closely with other Government agencies and the community to promote awareness of the virus and measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Queensland Health's Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Christine Selvey has advised the next step in the pandemic response is a vaccination program which commenced roll out across all States and Territories in Australia on 30 September.

To assist in the vaccination program, a letter http://deta.qld.gov.au/alert/pdf/vaccination-information-letter.pdf to parents, carers and staff is available to download from the Department's website http://deta.qld.gov.au/alert/human-swine-influenza.html and I ask that you please disseminate this via your school newsletter and/or other methods of information sharing.

You may also wish to add to your school website the following link to the Queensland Health website which contains more detailed information: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/swineflu/html/vacc.asp

For further information regarding the Pandemic H1N1 vaccination program contact Dr Russ Schedlich, Deputy State Health Incident Controller, Queensland Health on (07) 3288 9995.

Your assistance with this vaccination program is much appreciated.

Lyn McKenzie

A/Deputy Director General, Education Queensland Department of Education and Training