It's official, the swine flu 'pandemic' is over (shame it cost us £1billion and scared thousands witless)

The swine flu pandemic, which has cost the nation more than £1billion, was declared over yesterday.

With the number of new cases plummeting, health chiefs announced the 24-hour flu helpline will close down next Thursday.

Critics said the seven-month outbreak had been mishandled by ministers and health officials, who had made a flawed assessment of the threat.

Swine flu has killed 411 Britons, with 124 more still in hospital - yet the 5,000 cases a week are far below the average for seasonal flu.

Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson had warned the pandemic might claim 65,000 lives and Health Secretary Andy Burnham said 100,000 could be struck down with the disease every day.

Total cases stand at 800,000 so far. Around the world, an estimated 14,000 deaths have been reported - a fraction of the number dying each year from ordinary flu.

The Government is thought to have ordered tens of millions of doses of vaccine.

So far only 4.25million have been administered to priority groups in England.
Sir Liam is still urging the vulnerable to have the jabs.

He insists the vast cost of tackling the pandemic has been justified, from the £1billion cost of vaccines and antivirals to the £10.4million spent on publicity.

The National Pandemic Flu Service, which cost a further £13.5million to run, allowed patients to bypass their GP and collect antiviral drugs after a telephone assessment.
Launched in July last year and employing 1,500 call centre staff, it led to 1.1million courses of antivirals being administered to patients - many of whom never had swine flu, according to research.

Anyone suspecting they have swine flu can still get antiviral drugs from their GP, while those in at-risk groups, including children under five, can receive a vaccination.

Sir Liam said: 'When the virus returns I would very much like to see young children already protected.

'From now on, most deaths from the pandemic flu virus should be regarded as potentially preventable.'

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: 'Our priority remains to vaccinate those most at risk from swine flu, as people are still in hospital from the virus.

'This is the first time we have had a vaccine to protect people while a pandemic virus has been circulating, so it has undoubtedly helped us save lives.'

However, the bumper revenues being reported by vaccine manufacturers - £4billion in windfall profits is predicted - have led to claims that the World Health Organisation fell under the influence of the industry when it declared a pandemic last June.

Matthew Elliott of the Taxpayers' Alliance said: 'The Government's reaction to swine flu has proved to be excessive and poorly managed.

'It beggars belief that they could have signed so many massive contracts with such a flawed assessment of the threat.'

But John Oxford, professor of virology at Bart's and The London Hospital, defended the flu strategy.

'Swine flu is behaving in a classic Darwinian fashion - the survival of the fittest - and has already displaced 98 per cent of the other flu viruses,' he said.

'My worry is that when it gets into the elderly next year, we could see many more deaths.

'We should be proud that Britain responded in a way that prevented many more cases and deaths.'












Over at last: The National Pandemic Flu Service will be stood down