Wales’ senior medical officer is urging parents to get their children vaccinated against swine flu.

The Welsh Assembly is encouraging parents and guardians of children aged between six months and five years of age to have their children vaccinated against the virus.

Local GP and health services are contacting parents about arranging an appointment for their children.

Letters inviting them to make appointments with their local GP surgery have also started to be issued in some areas across Wales.

Wales’ senior medical officer, Dr Sara Hayes said: “Young children are particularly susceptible to swine flu and we want to do all we can to encourage parents to take up the invitation to have their children vaccinated against it.

“While the numbers of people contracting swine flu have gone down in the last few weeks, it is too early for us to assume the threat of infection is over.

“Young children have higher rates of admission to critical care units than other age groups and unfortunately some children under five in the UK have died as a result of swine flu,” she added.

Health professional organisations in Wales have given their support to the vaccination programme, which provides the most vulnerable with immunity from the virus for several years.