HSE's Winter Vaccination Programme underway
The HSE’s Winter Vaccination Programme has been launched with flu and Covid-19 vaccines now available to help protect people from serious illness this winter.
Last winter, a total of 1,780 confirmed cases of flu were reported in the Mid West (Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary), with 839 people hospitalised and 11 admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). There were 30 deaths in the region among people with confirmed flu.
This autumn/winter, everyone aged 60 years and older, and people with certain underlying medical conditions or a weakened immune system, are recommended to get both the flu and Covid-19 vaccines. All healthcare workers, pregnant women and children aged 2 to 17 years are recommended to get the flu vaccine.
Flu and Covid-19 vaccines are available free of charge to eligible people and can be given at the same appointment.
Dr Breda Cosgrove, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE Mid West, said: “Flu and Covid-19 can cause serious illness, especially for older people and people with underlying health conditions. I would urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated to protect themselves this winter. Vaccines are available now from GPs and pharmacies. For individuals living in nursing homes or who are housebound, HSE vaccination teams will provide the vaccine where you live, and there will also be dedicated flu vaccine clinics held for healthcare workers.”
In addition, the free nasal flu vaccine is available for children aged 2 to 17 years through participating GPs and pharmacies, with some children also offered the vaccine through school-based programmes.
Both flu and COVID-19 can cause serious illness, particularly for older people and people with underlying health conditions. The HSE is encouraging everyone who is eligible for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines to get vaccinated and give yourself the best protection this winter.
It takes up to two weeks for the vaccines to work so get vaccinated now before flu starts to circulate widely.
Talk to a participating GP or pharmacist about getting your flu vaccine or visit hse.ie for more information.