Anyone who needs antiviral medicine for swine flu symptoms will be able to get it on normal prescriptions from their GP and collect it at any chemist from 1 April.

GPs are asking any patients diagnosed as needing the antivirals before that date to arrange for it to be collected as quickly as possible before the end of March, from one of the antiviral collection points across the district, to avoid having to pay for their prescription.

The antiviral collection points will not be available from 1 April and antiviral medicines used to treat people in the 'at risk' groups with swine flu will no longer be available free of charge from the national stockpile.

People in the ‘at risk groups’ are still being urged to have their swine flu vaccination as the best protection against the H1N1 virus. These include: those with underlying illness, pregnant women and healthy children aged 6 months to under 5 years. The H1N1 virus will be one of the three strains used in the seasonal flu jabs offering this winter.

Anyone who has flu symptoms should stay at home and contact their GP, who will assess their symptoms and decide whether antiviral medicine is necessary based on their health history.

Anita Sims, director of public health for Bradford and Airedale said: “It is still really important that those people eligible for the swine flu jab make an appointment to see their GP as it will offer them the best possible  protection through the year.

“In the UK, it is highly likely that the pandemic H1N1virus will be the predominant influenza strain this winter and it may start earlier than usual with outbreaks sparked by returning travellers from countries affected by the Southern Hemisphere. Vaccination now will protect individuals against the disease and its complications when it returns later in the year.” Notes for editors The National Pandemic Flu Service online and phone self care service was closed on 11 February 2010. Since 11 February antiviral medicines have only been authorised through health care professionals using either antiviral authorisation vouchers or the right hand side of the FP10SS (endorsed “ACP”). This has allowed continued access to antiviral medicines from a national stockpile free of charge for those confirmed as having swine flu symptoms.

Antiviral collection points open until 31 March 2010