The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has issued a reminder to people, especially those in at-risk categories, to avoid the flu and serious illness by getting their flu vaccination at their local pharmacy as soon as possible.
At-risk groups include elderly people, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses and healthcare workers. All those in an at-risk group who hold a medical card can avail of the flu vaccine free of charge at their local pharmacy.
Official figures show that over 62,000 people availed of the flu vaccine in community pharmacies across Ireland in 2015/2016, an increase of 22% on the previous year. IPU research found that, of these, one in seven, i.e. 13%, were availing of the vaccine for the first time and 96% of them were in the at-risk category.
TAKE ACTION EARLY
Flu is a highly-infectious illness and the season lasts from October to April. The flu virus can be spread by coughing or sneezing and can be spread from 1-2 days before you develop symptoms and for up to a week after symptoms develop. It is estimated that flu is responsible for between 200 and 500 deaths each year in Ireland, mostly elderly patients. Research has shown that the flu vaccine cuts the risk of death from influenza for elderly patients and reduces the chance of hospitalisation.
It can often be difficult to tell the difference between the common cold and flu. A cold is a much less severe illness than flu. Flu symptoms, particularly fever and muscle aches, come on suddenly, whereas a cold usually starts gradually with symptoms of a sore throat and a blocked or runny nose.
