Influenza season starts now until the end of April.
This vaccine varies from year to year and its effectiveness also varies among the ages and risk groups according to the different types within the vaccine.
These are the strains that the WHO estimate will be the most likely to be circulating this season.
Influenza vaccines reduce the risk of infection by 40-60 percent.
The vaccines work better against Influenza B and A(H1N1) and a slightly lower protections against (H3N2).
The vaccines reduce the severity of illness,complications,hospitalizations and ICU visits.
This year the HSE has recommended the Quadrivalent Inactivated Influenza vaccine.
It protects against the follwing strains-
1.AnA Hong Kong/2671/2019 9H3N2)-like virus
2.An a/Guangdong-Maonan/SWL1536/2019(H1N1)pdm09-like virus
3.a B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage0-like virus and
4.a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagat lineage)-like virus
FLU IS SERIOUS,FLU CAN KILL
Up to 500 people die of FLU each year.
Who should receive the vaccine?
.Flu makes Chronic Health conditions worse
People aged 65 or older
All pregnant women
People Immunosupressed fromCancer treatment ,Asplenia.
Children aged 2-12 years
People who have Chronic illness such as Chronic renal failure,Chronic liver disease,Chronic Neurological disease,Chronic Heart disease, Diabetes Mellitus.
Residents in Nursing homes,attending special schools/day centres.
People on long term aspirin
People with morbid obesity
People with Down syndrome or moderate to severe neurodevelopment disorders.
.Be aware it takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to be effective.
.All Health care workers, all household contacts of at risk persons,out of home care givers to at risk persons
What are the symptoms of Influenza?
Common symptoms include headache, muscle and joint pain, fever and chills.
They can also have sore throat and extreme fatigue with this.
Some young children can also get vomiting and diarrohea.
Complications can include, bronchitis,secondary bacterial infection,pneumonia and meningitis.
More children visit the GP during the flu season with influenza or its complications than any other time of year.
This can lead to increased hospitalisations, and antibiotic prescriptions.
GET YOUR VACCINE !
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