2nd in our "Get the flu vaccine.....not the flu!" series - Book your flu jab today

Get the flu vaccine...not the flu! Part 2

Influenza (flu) is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It can affect people of any age. The seasonal flu vaccine (flu jab) protects against 4 strains of flu virus. These are the strains most likely to be circulating this flu season. You can get the flu vaccination your GP surgery or local pharmacy. The flu vaccine is free if you have medical card or doctor visit card. It is also free if you are over 65, for children under 12, people with long-term illness, pregnant women, and health care workers. It is also free for carers once you can prove you are in receipt of carer’s allowance. You can get your flu vaccine at Whelehans Pearse St and Whelehans Clonmore. It only takes a few minutes. For convenience you can book your flu vaccination online on the Whelehans Pharmacy website. The adult vaccine is now available. Like last year, the HSE will roll out the children’s nasal vaccine in GP surgeries and pharmacies in the middle of October. Last week I discussed flu symptoms.

Those considered more “at-risk” from flu

Some people are more at risk of getting complications if they catch flu. You can get the flu vaccine for free if you:

• are 65 years of age and over
• are pregnant
• are a child aged 2 to 12 years
• are an adult or child aged 6 months or older with a long-term health condition like:

• 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)
• are a child with a moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorder such as cerebral palsy

• were born 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
• are a long term carer for someone who is at risk of flu because of a long-term health condition
• are a carer or live with someone who has Down syndrome

The Flu vaccine is free for healthcare workers and long term carers (ie) those in receipt of carers allowance

Convenient Vaccination Service at Whelehans Pharmacies

The only way to get protected from flu is by getting vaccinated. Whelehans offer flu vaccine at our Pearse St and Clonmore store most days from 8:30am daily for adults and children; For convenience you can book online on the Whelehans Pharmacy website or ring us at 04493 34591 (Pearse St) or 04493 10266 (Clonmore). It only takes a few minutes to get vaccinated. Cost €20 or free with medical or doctor visit card. It is free for over 65s, children and people with long term medical conditions, healthcare workers and long-term carers.

To be continued… next week I discuss the children’s vaccine.

Check www.hse.ie for more vaccine information. For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans Pharmacies, log on to www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591 (Pearse St) or 04493 10266 (Clonmore).