THE HEALTH Service Executive has urged those over the age of 65 years and others with chronic conditions to get the seasonal flu vaccine now.
The annual flu jab, available at family doctor surgeries, should be sought immediately and should ideally be got out of the way before swine flu vaccines become available for administration next month.
This year, because of the swine flu pandemic, there will be two flu vaccination campaigns – firstly the one launched yesterday for the seasonal flu vaccine and later on, one for the swine flu vaccine.
Dr Brenda Corcoran from the HSE’s National Immunisation Office said while a lot of people are now very aware of swine flu it is important to remember that seasonal flu viruses may still also be around this winter.
Annual or seasonal flu is “a very infectious and potentially serious illness” and a new seasonal flu vaccine must be given each year to guard against it, she said.
“For older people and those who have a chronic illness, flu can cause severe illness and can even be life threatening. All those at risk should get the annual flu vaccine this year to make sure that they are protected,” she added.
The seasonal flu vaccine is free for everyone aged over 65, younger people with chronic illnesses such as long-term heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes or any condition which results in a suppressed immune system, and all health care workers and carers who have direct patient contact.
People with either a medical card or GP visit card will not be charged to visit the doctor for the seasonal flu vaccine, but GPs may charge a consultation fee to administer the seasonal vaccine to patients without either card.
Dr Corcoran stressed that the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against swine flu.
“When swine flu vaccine is licensed it will be offered to everyone, starting with people with long-term medical conditions and healthcare workers.
“Details of the HSE’s swine flu vaccination programme will be available in the coming weeks,” she said.
The swine flu vaccine is expected to be licensed in October. Then a mass vaccination programme with the pandemic vaccine is expected to be announced by the HSE.
Some 2,000 health service staff including doctors, nurses and administrators, are expected to be redeployed to operate more than 100 special clinics which will be set up across the State to administer the H1N1 pandemic vaccine to the general population.