Faisal Al Durrah, who is a Public Health Consultant at NHS South of Tyne and Wear, which covers Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT), has had his three-year-old son Raphael protected against the disease.

Although swine flu cases are down, deaths and serious illness remain a concern. People on Wearside eligible for the vaccine are being advised by doctors to have the jab.

"As a parent, I want to do all I can to keep my children safe and I am confident that by having the swine flu vaccine, Raphael has been given protection against what is potentially a very serious disease," said Mr Al Durrah. "I would urge all patients eligible for the vaccine to take up the offer from their GP and protect themselves."

Children aged between six months and five years have been identified as a priority group for the vaccine.

Others include people in the seasonal flu at-risk groups, pregnant women, and those in regular close contact with patients undergoing treatment for cancer.

Mr Al Durrah added: "Nationally, although swine flu has not been a severe illness for most people, children and younger adults in particular have developed serious complications and been admitted to hospital and, sadly, some have died."

People worried they might have swine flu are advised to stay at home and check their symptoms via the National Pandemic Flu Service, which gives people with pandemic swine flu symptoms fast access to antivirals, freeing up GPs to deal with other illnesses that need their urgent attention.

For more information visit www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu or call 0800 1 513 100.