HEALTH bosses are urging parents to get their children vaccinated against swine flu.

GPs across Oxfordshire are set to begin administering the vaccine to 35,000 children.

Youngsters aged between six months and five years will be given the jab, in line with a national vaccination programme.

This is the second stage of the programme, the first saw people suffering from long-term illnesses or serious conditions offered the vaccination.

Latest figures show a drop in the number of people collecting medication for the illness in Oxfordshire – from 700 a day at the height of the pandemic to about 300 last week.

But NHS Oxfordshire, the county’s primary care trust, said the war against swine flu wasn’t over.

Acting consultant in public health Dr Tom Porter said children under five were among the most likely to need hospital care if they contracted the H1NI virus.

He added: “Monitoring of the pandemic so far shows that otherwise healthy children who catch swine flu are more likely than those in other age groups to need admitting to hospital.

“There have also, tragically, been some deaths across the UK.

“Thankfully the number of cases of swine flu across the UK has diminished considerably.

“However, we would still urge parents to have their children vaccinated.”

Dr Porter added: “It is important to stress that the vaccine is safe for children.

“Any parent wishing to have their child vaccinated should contact their surgery.”

Following new advice by independent experts, most children will get one dose of the vaccine, half the adult dose.

Possible side effects of the swine flu jab are similar to those from other vaccinations in childhood, and can include swelling around the site of the injection, a sore arm or fever.

NHS Oxfordshire, which is providing advice leaflets in places like libraries and clinics, advises parents to monitor their children and give infant paracetamol as appropriate.

Mother-of-three Kayte Locke said she intended to get her children innoculated as soon as possible.

Mrs Locke, 39, of Abingdon Road, Oxford, said the risks of not getting the jab for her children outweighed any reservations about the treatment.

She said: “It can be a really nasty illness, and if I can do anything to lessen the risk for my children I will.”

For more information, call NHS Direct on 0845 4647, visit the website nhsdirect.nhs.uk or arrange an appointment with your GP