HEALTH bosses in Gloucestershire say they are remaining "vigilant" to the threat of swine flu as new figures show the UK spent more than £1.2 billion on preparing for and responding to the pandemic.

In an independent review released yesterday, a former chief medical officer for Wales said the response to the outbreak was "proportionate and effective".

But she highlighted the lack of flexibility in contracts signed by the Government for vaccines against the H1N1 virus, meaning Britain was left with many doses.

The first consignment of the vaccine arrived in Gloucestershire GPs' surgeries in November.

Dr Shona Arora, director of public health for NHS Gloucestershire, said it was right the authority followed national guidelines to cope with the pandemic.

"Although the vast majority of people experienced mild symptoms of swine flu, a number of vulnerable individuals across the UK experienced more serious complications," she said.

"It was right that NHS Gloucestershire worked closely with local partners in following national guidance to implement a response to swine flu that met the needs of the Gloucestershire population.

"We remain vigilant and have plans in place to escalate our response in the event of a pandemic in the future."

There were 457 reported and confirmed swine flu-related deaths across the UK between the outbreak in April last year and March this year. No figures specific to Gloucestershire are available.

Figures in the report, led by Dame Deirdre Hine, show Britain spent £654m preparing for a possible flu pandemic and £587m responding to the H1N1 outbreak – a total of £1.24bn.

This includes £1.01bn spent on drugs – among them anti-virals, doses of vaccine and antibiotics.

Figures released in April showed only one in three front line hospital workers in Gloucestershire chose to be vaccinated against swine flu at the height of the scare.

The statistics from the Department of Health show 33 per cent of the 5,937 health care workers at both Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals had the jab by the end of February.

During the pandemic, pupils from Cheltenham College, St Lawrence Primary in Lechlade and Bournside Secondary in Up Hatherley were diagnosed with swine flu.

In October, Shurdington Primary School announced it was closing a week before half-term after 21 pupils and four teachers reported suffering flu-like symptoms.

This followed six youngsters at the school being diagnosed with swine flu the week before.

In November, health bosses reached an agreement with GPs for a scheme targeting youngsters aged between six months and five years.

David Tate, spokesman and member of Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: "Initially there were concerns over the impending pandemic of swine flu due to high exposure by the media.

"However, this did not materialise to any great extent, but we were encouraged by the actions taken by the local health authorities in their efforts to prepare for it.

"Fortunately, there was little effect on the struggling county economy."