A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy from Galashiels was among the latest victims to be struck down with swine flu this week.

And now his mum, who also has a five-year-old daughter, has called for all children to be given the flu vaccine to prevent a tragedy.

Her comments followed the death of a teenager from Dundee who this week became the 18th Scottish victim of the H1N1 strain in just one week.

At present, only those deemed at risk - pregnant women, those aged 65 years or over, and those with other underlying conditions such as heart problems - are eligible for the jab.

The concerned mother, who we have agreed not to name, said: "My son did not have the flu vaccine as he wasn't offered it." But she added: "My daughter had the jab and hasn't taken swine flu so I feel it must work and would be beneficial to all." In October 2009, a 17-year-old woman from Tweedbank and her unborn baby died after contracting swine flu.

This week, health chiefs in the Borders revealed they were continuing to monitor a number of patients with flu or flu-like illness who require hospital admission.

Dr Tim Paterson, NHS Borders Flu Coordinator, said: "In Scotland, flu levels continue to be what is expected at this time of year and Borders is in line with what is occurring nationally.

"The most common flu virus circulating across the country is Influenza A (H1N1), so not surprisingly a number of the cases being managed locally are also of this type. "However, H1N1 is just one of a number of flu strains currently circulating nationally, all of which are likely to have a mild impact on most people who catch them." And he added: "It is important that those in the 'at-risk' groups, who are more vulnerable to serious complications if they catch flu, take up the offer of flu vaccination as it offers the best protection." For advice and information on seasonal flu call NHS24 on 08454 242424 or log on to their website - www.nhs24.com