A swine flu vaccination programme has begun in the Highlands.

More than 200 frontline hospital staff received the injections designed to protect against the H1N1 virus at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness on Monday morning.

The jabs will now be rolled out across the region to other healthcare workers and priority groups deemed to be at greater risk from the flu strain.

Tricia Morrison of NHS Highland said: “This is the first phase. We’re targeting Raigmore Hospital to begin with and then rolling it out to the community health partnerships around the areas within the next week.

“People who are within the normal flu category will be contacted by their GPs.”

Yesterday it was announced a further three people had died after contracting swine flu, bringing the number of deaths in Scotland to 29.

The patients, who had underlying health problems, were from the Glasgow and Ayrshire areas.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said following the latest case: "I am sorry to have to announce another death and my thoughts are with the patient's loved ones at this distressing time."

Ms Sturgeon urged everyone in the priority groups to get vaccinated against the H1N1 virus.

She said: "Vaccination is our best defence against this virus and I urge everyone who is in the priority groups to accept the vaccine when invited to do so."