Flu Vaccine Programme
As we are aware, anyone can get the flu, however it is more severe in people over the age of 65 and anyone suffering from a chronic medical condition. Pregnant women have also been found to be at an increased risk of complications due to the flu.
Flu can be prevented by receiving a vaccination. The flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to help prevent the infection and avoid in some cases hospitalisation.
We have commenced our flu vaccination programme for 2021/2022. If you meet the HSE criteria (see detailed below) you need to contact the surgery to book your appointment.
The HSE will provide the vaccine for free for the following groups:
- are 65 years of age and over
- are pregnant
- are a child aged 2 to 17 years
- are an adult or child aged 6 months or older at increased risk for flu related complications including:
- those with long term conditions
- chronic heart disease, including acute coronary syndrome
- chronic liver disease
- chronic renal failure
- chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
- cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma or bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system
- diabetes mellitus
- haemoglobinopathies
- morbid obesity i.e. body mass index (BMI) over 40
- immunosuppression due to disease or treatment (including treatment for cancer)
- children with a moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorder such as cerebral palsy
- children on long term aspirin therapy
- those with any condition that can compromise respiratory function (e.g. spinal cord injury, seizure disorder or other neuromuscular disorder) especially those attending special schools or day centres
- children or adults with Down syndrome
- live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
- some people should get the vaccine to protect themselves, their families and those they care for,
These include:
- those who work in healthcare
- only household contacts or carers of people who have an underlying chronic health condition or have Down syndrome are eligible to receive an influenza vaccine. A carer is described as someone who is providing an ongoing significant level of care to a person who is in need of care in the home due to illness or disability or frailty.
- People who are in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl should get the flu vaccine.
If you do not fit into any of these groups you can still avail of the flu vaccine but will have to source it privately. Pharmacies are providing the flu vaccines this year as well.