Implementation details of the Government's human swine flu vaccination programme will be announced by the end of the month, Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow says.

Speaking on a radio talk show this morning, Dr Chow said some non-urgent healthcare services, such as routine body checks for students, may be postponed to facilitate the programme.

In response to reports swine flu shots might cause serious side effects, he said the Government will seek more information on the claims. Reiterating the vaccine is safe, Dr Chow said more than 10 million people have received the vaccines and only a small number of adverse cases have been recorded.

Noting scientific studies are inconclusive on the association between Guillain-Barre Syndrome and a flu jab, the secretary said it is justified to launch the vaccination programme as it can prevent huge outbreaks in the community.