Doctor and midwife urge Laois people to get flu jab before Christmas as hospitalisations surge

The HSE Dublin and Midlands has called on all eligible people in Laois and the rest of the catchment region to get vaccinated against flu immediately, saying hospitalisation from flu has doubled in just one week.

In a statment to the Leinster Express / Laois Live the HSE said its data shows that total cases notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC) have more than doubled, showing that flu cases are surging within communities.

Dr Tomás Barry is a Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine, HSE Dublin and Midlands.

“We are seeing a rapid increase of cases of patients with influenza, including those needing hospitalisation. There has been an earlier start to the influenza season, and we are concerned at the risk this presents to those susceptible to more severe disease.

"These include those over 60 years of age, those with underlying medical conditions, pregnant women and people who are immunocompromised. It is imperative that those groups take action now to protect themselves now in order to get the protection they need,” he said.

The HSE said the latest HPSC figures, the heightened flu activity is largely attributable to the AH3N2 variant. HPSC modelling projects significant pressures on healthcare services in the coming weeks.

The HSE reports that 418 cases were reported in hospitals the week ending 29 November compared to just 213 the week before.

Dr Barry particularly urged healthcare workers to get vaccinated.

“Healthcare workers are among those more likely to get the flu given the environments in which they work. By getting vaccinated, healthcare workers are protecting themselves, and also their families and patients to whom they provide care.

“I urge people in these at-risk groups, as well as healthcare workers, to take urgent steps now to protect themselves and others. The flu vaccine takes two weeks to become fully effective. Therefore, the best time to get vaccinated is now, before rates of infection peak over the busy holiday period,” he said.

The HSE says free flu vaccines are available now at participating GP clinics and pharmacies. For healthcare workers, free flu vaccines are available in staff vaccination clinics and in the community in GPs and Pharmacies. Additionally, all children aged 2-17 years are recommended to get the free flu vaccine.

The flu vaccine is strongly recommended and free for:

• Everyone aged 60 years and older
• People with underlying medical conditions
• Healthcare workers (including students in healthcare and social care)
• All children aged 2-17 years
• Pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)
• Carers and household contacts of people at higher risk
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-stay facilities
• People with regular close contact with poultry, waterfowl or pigs
• Break the chain of transmission

Eileen Whelan, Regional Director of Nursing and Midwifery, HSE Dublin and Midlands.

“People can also play an important part in helping break the chain of transmission and preventing the spread of infection. 

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“They can do so by following respiratory etiquette, such as covering coughs and sneezes, regular hand washing, and by staying at home when unwell. People with symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infection are advised not to visit patients in healthcare settings until symptoms have resolved,” she said.

For more information about the flu vaccine, including where to get it, visit www.hse.ie/flu