THE swine flu vaccination programme has started in Salisbury as the country braces itself for a fresh outbreak of the disease this winter.

Frontline staff at Salisbury District Hospital including doctors, midwives and nurses have been the first to receive the injection as part of a national programme to protect employees and patients from the virus.

About 3,000 staff members are being offered the vaccination including all those who carry out ward duties such as pharmacists, therapists and other healthcare workers.

Tracey Nutter, director of infection prevention and control at the hospital, said: “Keeping patients and staff safe during the swine flu pandemic is a critical priority for us and vaccination against swine flu is the easiest way of protecting our patients and staff and reducing the chances of the virus spreading to others.

“It’s also important that everyone continues to maintain good hand hygiene and follow the Catch it Bin It Kill it campaign.”

Doctors surgeries are expected to start inviting people in ‘priority groups’ to have the injection in the coming weeks.

The programme will begin with those who have health problems, damaged immune systems and pregnant women.