HSE appeal for public to vaccinate during flu season

HSE appeal for public to vaccinate during flu season


Anton McNulty

THE HSE have appealed to people at risk who have not received the seasonal flu vaccine to receive it from their GP after a reported rise in the number of flu-like illnesses.
In recent weeks, there has been a rise in the number of people attending their GP and the GP out of hour services with flu-like illnesses.  As the flu season gets into full swing, the HSE West have reported that their Emergency Departments in all their hospitals have been very busy over the past week, and they appealed for people with flu-like symptoms to contact their GP first, rather than presenting at the Emergency Department.
This year the predominant flu virus is the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, and the HSE are appealing for people to ensure they are treated with the flu vaccine.
“We are now seeing a major rise in people attending GPs and GP out of hours services with flu like illnesses. Most people who get the flu are able to self medicate and be looked after at home, with rest and plenty of fluids, as with seasonal flu. However, as had been anticipated, this winter some people have been hospitalised as a result of their illness and a small number have been admitted to intensive care units,” read the HSE released statement.
“The best protection from this virus is the flu vaccine. This year’s seasonal flu vaccine also has protection against the H1N1 virus along with two other potential flu viruses. The seasonal flu vaccine is available from your GP.”
People at risk who have been advised to consider getting the vaccine include pregnant women, people with long term health conditions, people aged 65 and over along with carers and heathcare workers. Many of these people have received the vaccine following during the Swine Flu Vaccination Programme that ran from November 2009 to March 2010.
To try to counteract the spread of the flu virus, some hospitals have introduced visitor restrictions but normal restrictions currently apply in the case of Mayo General Hospital and the Galway hospitals.
For further information on the seasonal flu vaccination and the symptoms of H1N1 virus, please see www.hse.ie. The website also features detailed questions and answers on flu, the symptoms, how to treat them and how to care for flu at home.