After two deaths involving pupils, NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey (pictured) has today confirmed that the priority swine flu vaccination programme will now include some staff in special schools for those with severe learning disabilities.

He said that staff who provide personal care for pupils at these schools will be offered the vaccine from this week.

"At present, we have a limited supply of vaccines and our first priority must be to protect those most at risk from the complications of swine flu.

"This is why 2,500 children in over 20 special schools for severe learning disability across Northern Ireland were offered the vaccine as a matter of urgency last week.

"This is now largely completed," he continued.

"The staff who provide personal care to the vulnerable children within special schools for severe learning disability are doing similar work as frontline health and social care workers.

"Therefore I believe that this move will further protect this vulnerable group of children and young people," he said this morning.

"I have asked the Public Health Agency to make arrangements to offer the vaccine to this group of staff as quickly as possible."

From this week, arrangements have also been made for other children with special needs and underlying physical health conditions, who are not in special schools to be offered the vaccine.

The Minister continued: "GPs will now begin to prioritise our supplies of the vaccination to ensure those most at risk are protected first.

"The vaccination programme remains the best way to protect the most vulnerable people in our society.

"I would encourage all those who are offered the vaccine to get it. Protect yourself, protect those at risk and get the vaccine," he said.

See: Swine Flu Death Toll Rises

(BMcC/KMcA)