The vaccine is being offered first to people who are most likely to become seriously ill if they catch swine flu. These people are in the following priority groups:

1. Patients aged over six months who have a long-term health condition, including:
   
   • Chronic lung disease
   • Chronic heart disease
   • Chronic kidney disease
   • Chronic liver disease
   • Chronic neurological diseases
   • Diabetes mellitus
   • Immunosuppression caused by a disease or treatment for a disease. For example, this may include people who do not have a spleen, and people who are on immunosuppressant treatment or are taking high doses of systemic steroids.
   
   
2. Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy Being pregnant can put you more at risk of being seriously ill if you catch swine flu. So far, evidence suggests that pregnant women are four 6 times more likely to develop serious complications from swine flu and up to five times more likely to need to go to hospital. The risks of flu are highest at the later stages of pregnancy.


3. People who live in the same house as someone whose immune system is compromised by disease or treatment if you live with someone who is having treatment for cancer, for example, and you catch swine flu, they might catch it from you and become very ill. If you have a severely compromised immune system, ask the people you live with to think about getting vaccinated to help protect you against catching swine flu. If you are unsure about whether you should be vaccinated, speak to your GP or practice nurse.