Flu Vaccine available from 17th September. Recommended by World Health Organisation for all patient over 50 years and all patient with chronic diseases.
No appointment necessary, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
Vaccination is recommended for:
1. Those older than 6 months of age who are at increased risk of influenza-related complications including the following groups:
a) Persons aged 50 years or older.
b) Those with chronic illness requiring regular medical follow-up (e.g.
chronic respiratory disease, including cystic fibrosis, moderate or
severe asthma, chronic heart disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia,
diabetes mellitus, haemoglobinopathies, chronic renal failure,
chronic liver disease, chronic neurological disease including
multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the
central nervous system).
c) Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, including
asplenia or splenic dysfunction.
d) Children on long-term aspirin therapy (because of the risk of Reyes
Syndrome).
e) Children with any condition that can compromise respiratory
function (e.g. spinal cord injury, seizure disorder, or other
neuromuscular disorder) especially those attending special schools/
day centres.
f) Those with morbid obesity i.e. Body mass index equal to or over
40.
g) Residents of nursing homes, old people’s homes, and other longstay
facilities where rapid spread is likely to follow introduction of
infection.
2. Those likely to transmit influenza to a person at high risk for influenza
complications (including household contacts and out-of-home care
givers)
3. All pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy. Pregnancy
increases the risk of complications from influenza (especially H1N1
disease) because of the alterations in heart rate, lung capacity, and
immunological function. It is estimated that immunisation could
Chapter 7 Influenza
5
Influenza
August 2012
prevent 1-2 hospitalisations per 1,000 pregnant women. Because
influenza virus vaccine is not a live vaccine it is considered very safe in
pregnancy.
4 Health-care workers, both for their own protection and for the
protection of their patients who may have a suboptimal response to
their own influenza vaccinations. (see Chapter 18)
5. People who have close, regular contact with pigs, poultry or water
fowl.
Anyone (over 6 months of age) who wishes to reduce their risk of
infection may choose to have the seasonal influenza vaccine.
Remember annual vaccination is necessary.
The ideal time for vaccination is before the influenza season, i.e. from
September to October.
Seasonal influenza vaccine can be given until the end of April and
this may be extended in the event of an outbreak.
Enniscorthy Medical Centre,