Time to get the flu vaccine - National Immunisation Office

Pic: National Immunisation Office.

With the influenza season right on top of us it is time for consideration of the flu vaccine for all, writes Brian Byrne.

The National Immunisation Office, in its first influenza report of the 2019/2020 season noted that all indicators of flu were at low levels by the week ending 6 October. But the office is urging people to get the vaccine now.

In its Facts about flu, the organisation reminds that the virus causes deaths and hospitalisation every year. The vaccine is the best protection for at risk groups and health care workers.

Apart from those groups it is just as important for healthy people over ten to get the vaccine, as they can actually get flu without symptoms and then pass it on through the community. "People should be vaccinated for what's known as 'herd immunity'," says Paula, the pharmacist at Burke's Chemist on Hillcrest (phone 045 480450) which provides the vaccine in Kilcullen. "If they don't get the flu they are not likely to spread it, and the more people in the community who are immunised, the less overall chance of it spreading."

There's a very strong campaign for health workers themselves to take the vaccine as they are ten times more likely than others to get the flu.

The at risk groups include people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, and people with long term medical conditions or whose immune system is impaired due to medical treatment.

The HSE covers a wide variety of groups in terms of payment for the vaccine, but others will have to pay for the vaccine, usually €20. Whether one is in an exempted payment group can be ascertained at the time of making appointments.

"We prefer if people make appointments, as the vaccine has to be taken from storage in advance," Paula says.

Seasonal Flu vaccine is available from October 2019 until the end of April 2020. This year, the seasonal flu vaccine protects against the four strains of flu virus recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the strains most likely to be circulating this season.

The flu viruses that are circulating change every year. This is why you need to get a new vaccine each year. It is available through some pharmacies and all GPs.

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