At least 10,000 social services staff and carers in Norfolk are being offered vaccinations to protect them from swine flu.About 50 clinics have been organised by Norfolk County Council Adult Social Services and the first is taking place today at Rose Meadow care home in North Walsham.

At least 10,000 social services staff and carers in Norfolk are being offered vaccinations to protect them from swine flu.

About 50 clinics have been organised by Norfolk County Council Adult Social Services and the first is taking place today at Rose Meadow care home in North Walsham.

Harold Bodmer, director of Norfolk Adult Social Services, said: “Staff working in the care sector play an essential part in supporting some of the county's most vulnerable people.

“It's vital that staff are given protection against swine flu and it is reassuring for everyone to know that the vaccination programme is now under way.”

The vaccination programme of social care staff has been supported by NHS Norfolk.

Dave Kerry, NHS Norfolk's health emergency planning manager, said: “We are very grateful to our colleagues at Norfolk County Council and in the private sector for working so closely with us to help deliver swine flu vaccinations.

“It is important we ensure that these frontline staff who provide care across Norfolk receive the protection of the swine flu vaccine.”

Many residents in care homes have already received vaccinations themselves, as they will have fallen into the eligible categories in the first phase of the vaccination programme.

Mr Kerry said the programme was on track but it was at varying stages across the country because each GP practice or care provider was responsible for organising its own schedule.

Phase two - the vaccination of children aged between six months and five years - will start immediately afterwards. Mr Kerry appealed to parents not to contact their GP, but to wait until they were invited to attend a clinic.

And he urged anyone who was invited to have a vaccination to take up the offer.