For some parents the announcement that everyone aged six months to five years old will be offered protection will come as a relief.

The surge of swine flu has certainly increased worry for families, particularly at a time when so many bugs appear to be spreading through nursery classrooms. This week started with news that two children in Scotland had died from the virus in three days.

However, the history of injecting children against diseases is troubled. The now widely discredited study that claimed the measles, mumps and rubella jab could be linked to autism cast a long shadow.

Furthermore, there is caution among the public about the swine flu vaccine, which is already being offered to people with underlying health problems and pregnant women. A snapshot poll of GPs in England suggested more than half of patients were turning down the injection, particularly those expecting babies.

Jackie Fletcher, of Jabs -- which describes itself as a support group for vaccine-damaged children -- said parents of the under-fives now faced a difficult call.

She said: “We are concerned about the swine flu vaccine because although they keep making flu vaccines every year, this is a new strain. Parents will want to follow the best advice to protect their child but at the moment there are questions that still need to be answered.”

Ms Fletcher said that most people who had suffered from swine flu had recovered and questioned whether it was necessary to protect infants and toddlers.

Dr Martin Donaghy, medical director of surveillance agency Health Protection Scotland, said children under the age of five were being admitted to hospital with H1N1 at three or four times the rate of the rest of the population. The majority of these did not have other medical problems that might be expected to put them at greater risk from the virus.

He added that a considerable number of pensioners were immune to the strain.

According to Dr Jean Turner, executive director of the Scotland Patients Association, the message is getting across. She believes the majority of parents will want their children vaccinated. She said: “I think most people realise that this new influenza is unpredictable and is going for young people and it can take people who are pretty healthy as well as the elderly who already have health problems.”

She urged parents with concerns to discuss them with their health visitor or doctor.

As well as sparing children illness and hospitals patients, protecting Scotland’s youngest from swine flu could have other benefits.

Researchers argue that absence from work is likely to have significant impact on the UK economy.

Modelling suggests a pandemic could reduce gross domestic product by almost 4.5% -- about £70 billion. They therefore argue the cost of vaccinations is likely to be less than the savings gained from offering protection.

Professor Alan Maynard, of York Health Policy Group, said: “We have to continue trying to persuade patients to have the vaccine and that it is in their interests to do so.”

 

The vaccine -- what you need to know

 

How will my child obtain the vaccine?

 

Parents of children aged six months to five years will be contacted and invited to bring them in for ­vaccination. Surgeries will begin this work once phase one of the programme -- vaccinating people with underlying health problems and pregnant women -- is complete. Some doctors will do this in December but others will not start reaching children until the new year.

 

 

Will the vaccine have any side effects?

 

All vaccinations can produce side-effects such as redness, soreness and swelling at the site of the injection. Neither brand of vaccine in use in Scotland can cause flu.

 

 

Have rigorous safety checks been carried out on the v­accine?

 

The vaccine has undergone the same scrutiny as the ­seasonal flu vaccine. Manufacturers have to undertake clinical studies of their vaccines in adults and children. ­Preliminary results from H1N1 trials on children down to six months of age show it being well-tolerated in children.

 

 

My child may already have had swine flu. Does she still need the vaccine?

 

There are other viruses that may cause the same ­symptoms as H1N1, so parents are advised to take up the offer of the vaccine even if their child has been ill.

 

 

When can the rest of the ­family have the vaccine?

 

Orders are in place for enough of the vaccine for the remainder of the population.

Discussions will take place over the next few weeks about future phases of the programme and will take into account the latest scientific advice about the development of the pandemic.