Individuals with HIV will be one of the priority groups for swine flu vaccination in the United Kingdom, according to plans released by the UK Department of Health.
A vaccine offering protection against swine flu is expected to be available in the autumn.
The Secretary of State for Health announced that individuals with underlying health conditions, including HIV, would be first in line for the vaccination.
There is no indication that people with HIV are at a greater risk of swine flu or developing complications should they contract it, unless they have a low CD4 cell count.
An annual seasonal flu vaccine is already recommended for people with HIV.
Also included in the UK guidance are plans to vaccinate all household members of immunosuppressed individuals.
Pregnant women and individuals aged over 65 with underlying health conditions are also priority groups under the plan.
Most cases of swine flu have not caused severe illness or led to life-threatening complications, but like seasonal flu, the infection causes unpleasant symptoms, most notably a high temperature.
As with any flu, swine flu can have more serious implications for people with conditions such as lung disease, heart disease or diabetes. Individuals with a suppressed immune system, including people with HIV, especially if their CD4 cell count is below 200 cells/mm3 can also have an increased risk of complications, although there is no evidence that the current form of swine flu is causing problems in people with low CD4 counts. Nevertheless, people with CD4 counts below 200 should always seek medical advice from their HIV clinic if flu symptoms persist or worsen despite antiviral treatment for flu, not least because symptoms of an opportunistic infection may be mistaken for flu.
The swine flu vaccine will be provided at GPs' surgeries. It is necessary to receive two doses. The programme of vaccination will start immediately the product has been approved as safe and effective. This is expected to be early October at the latest.