GET THE FLU VACCINE PROTECT YOURSELF, PROTECT OTHERS
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s COVID-19 vaccines continue to be rolled out in Ireland and worldwide, it is still important healthcare workers get the flu vaccine this autumn/winter to protect themselves and others from flu, says Dr Aparna Keegan, Specialist in Public Health Medicine at the HSE National Immunisation Office. “Flu is a very infectious and unpredictable virus. It can have serious and sometimes life threatening consequences for those who get it,” said Dr Keegan. Flu occurs most years during autumn and winter, but it is not possible to know whether there will be a mild or a severe season in each year. Typically in Ireland, up to 500 people die from flu each winter. “Healthcare workers are 10 times more likely to get the flu. This year, we should continue practicing hand hygiene, cough etiquette and do everything we can to prevent the spread of flu. If you work in healthcare, that means getting the flu vaccine.” Most people with flu are sick for 5-7 days with a high temperature, sore throat, muscle pains, fatigue and headache. But some people won’t
develop symptoms and can then spread it to other people, like vulnerable patients, or their own families, without knowing they have it. It may be difficult to tell the symptoms of flu apart from the symptoms of COVID-19. Flu and COVID-19 can both cause serious illness. The flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19 because they are caused by different viruses. “If you had the COVID-19 vaccine, you should still get the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine gives protection to people who get the vaccine and may also protect people around you,” she said. If it is offered to you, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine. This flu season, the Fluad Tetra flu vaccine will be offered to those aged 65 years and over. For people aged 65 years and over, this is a more effective flu vaccine. If you are aged 65 and over you can get it through your GP or pharmacy. “As we get older our immune system may not respond to vaccines to the same extent. The Fluad Tetra flu vaccine contains an adjuvant or ingredient that will make it more
effective. That is why it is being offered to people aged 65 years and over this year." Last flu season, the children’s flu vaccine was introduced for children aged between 2-17 years and it will be available this year also. Young children in particular are more likely than adults to get severe complications of flu, such as pneumonia. Vaccinating children against flu protects them, and the people they come into contact with like their siblings, parents or grandparents. It comes in the form of a nasal spray and is available from your GP or pharmacist. “In the last 10 years, almost 5000 children were admitted to hospital with complications of flu. If your child has had the flu vaccine and they come into contact with the flu virus, the vaccine can stop them from getting sick. If enough children are vaccinated fewer people will need treatment in hospital. This is very important for our health services, especially this flu season,” said Dr Keegan. “The flu vaccine is your best shot to protect yourself and those around you." Contact occupational health for details about flu vaccine clinics in your area. The flu vaccine is also available for free from your GP or pharmacist. There are e-learning modules available on www.hseland.ie from September 2021, including a new module on the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine and Fluad Tetra vaccines, in addition to the updated module on children’s flu vaccine (Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine, LAIV) released last year. We would encourage everyone to complete them to get the facts about why it’s important to get the children's flu vaccine.
Visit www.hse.ie/flu for more information.
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