PLYMOUTH GPs are rolling out the swine flu vaccination programme to all children over six months and under five years old.

Health leaders have asked parents to wait to hear from their doctors about the timing of vaccination clinics and appointments.

Nicola Jones, NHS Plymouth deputy director of primary care, urged people to take up the jab.

She said: "It is really important that parents do take the opportunity to protect their child that this vaccination offers.

"For most people, swine flu is mild. However some people are more likely to be seriously ill with swine flu. These can include young children over six months and under five years of age."

She said the city's under fives vaccination programme has begun well and will recommence in earnest following the Christmas and New Year holiday.

Parents will be contacted by telephone or will receive an invitation letter from their local practice to let them know when to attend their surgery.

Ms Jones said: "The vaccination programme will be delivered over several weeks. Parents will receive their invitations over the coming month."

Plymouth GP practices are working to national guidelines for the vaccination of children.

All children born between January 1, 2005 and June 7, 2009, who are six months old from December 7, 2009 and are less than five years as of December 31, 2009, will be invited for a swine flu vaccination. It will also include all babies who become six months old in the coming months.

Since November, city GPs have been offering swine flu vaccination to all those children aged over six months who are in one of the clinical at risk groups and who are eligible for the normal seasonal flu vaccine.

The latest NHS swine flu bulletin stated that the South West continues to be relatively unaffected by swine flu and GP consultation rates remain in line with normal seasonal flu levels across the region. In the past week, there were 9,000 new cases of flu-like illness in the region, compared with 11,000 last week, and 22,000 the week before.