Published: Friday, 23rd October, 2009 1:32pm

Swine flu claims second Borders victim

A 58-YEAR-OLD woman has become the second person in the Borders to die of swine flu in a week.

According to a statement released by the Scottish Government, she had significant underlying health conditions. At the request of her family, no further details were available.

Last week, seventeen-year-old Denise Murray, from Tweedbank, became the first person in the region to die from the H1N1 virus. Friends and family were preparing to say a final farewell to the teenager, who died just weeks before she was due to give birth to her first baby, at a funeral service in Galashiels today (Friday).

Speaking of this latest death, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "This is devastating for her family and I send my sincere condolences to everyone who will miss her.

"Tragically there have been seventeen H1N1 related deaths in Scotland so far. Today marks the beginning of the vaccine programme and the next step in our battle against the pandemic.

"The first phase of the vaccine programme will be aimed at everyone who falls into the priority groups. I urge everyone who is invited by their GP to take up the vaccine, to help avoid tragedies like this in the future.

"The vaccination programme will have a phased introduction as we get supplies from the manufacturers, but we are confident everyone in the priority groups will be invited, by their own GP, to have the vaccine by Christmas.

"Anyone who is concerned about flu-like symptoms should continue to contact their GP for advice, or NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24."

Further information about H1N1 and the vaccination programme is available via the Scottish Swine Flu Vaccination Helpline on 08000 28 28 16.