Page 11 - Guerin Media Ltd | Nursing Homes Ireland Yearbook & Diary 2015
P. 11
S A LIFESAVER
www Seasonal Flu Vaccineon.ie
.im m u nisati
ormationI,ntafllkuteonyozuar G(Pf,luPh)arimsaacisth, iogr hOclycupinatfioencatl Hioeualtsh Daecpuatrtemernetspiratory illness caused by the flu virus. Flu affects people of all
ages, with outbreaks occurring almost every year. Flu symptoms come on suddenly with fevers, headache and
muscle aches. Most people recover in 2-7 days but older people are more likely to get serious complications
from flu. The best way to prevent flu is for you and your patients to get this years flu vaccine.
In some instances flu can be severe and can cause serious HEALTHCARE WORKERS PREVENT THE SPREAD OF
illness and death. Serious breathing complications can FLU AND SAVE LIVES EVERY YEAR BY GETTING THE
develop, including pneumonia and bronchitis, to which FLU VACCINE.
older people and those with certain chronic medical Vaccination should ideally be undertaken in late
conditions are particularly susceptible. Pregnant women September or October each year. Flu vaccine contains
have also been found to be at increased risk of the killed or inactivated viruses and therefore cannot cause
complications of flu. flu. It does however take 10-14 days for the vaccine to
Some people may need hospital treatment and a number start protecting against flu.
of people die from flu each winter.
Each year the seasonal (annual) flu vaccine contains • The vaccine and consultation are free to those
three common influenza virus strains. The flu virus within the recommended groups who have a
changes each year this is why a new influenza vaccine “Medical Card” or “GP Visit Card”
has to be given each year. This years flu vaccine contains
two new strains and one strain that was in last years • The vaccine is free to those within the
vaccine. These are the strains that are likely to cause flu recommended groups who do NOT have a
this winter. “Medical Card” or “GP Visit Card” but they will
Flu vaccine is recommended for be charged a consultation fee.
• All those 65 years of age and over Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) is
• Those with long term medical conditions recommended for those aged 65 years and older and
• All pregnant women (the vaccine can be given those over 2 years with long term medical conditions.
This vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal
at any stage of pregnancy) disease including those most likely to cause serious
• All frontline healthcare workers including: disease.
Pneumococcal vaccine is only required ONCE after
o Medical, nursing and paramedical reaching 65 years of age. Someone who was given their
staff, first dose of this vaccine before they reached 65 years of
age should receive a second dose at least 5 years after
o Medical and nursing students, the first dose.
o Dental personnel
o Hospital porters and cleaners,
o Ambulance personnel,
o Carers
Flu vaccine is recommended for healthcare workers to
protect them from getting flu and to reduce transmission
of flu from them to their family and patients. They care
for elderly and at risk patients who may not get sufficient
protection from the vaccine themselves.
www.immunisation.ie
www Seasonal Flu Vaccineon.ie
.im m u nisati
ormationI,ntafllkuteonyozuar G(Pf,luPh)arimsaacisth, iogr hOclycupinatfioencatl Hioeualtsh Daecpuatrtemernetspiratory illness caused by the flu virus. Flu affects people of all
ages, with outbreaks occurring almost every year. Flu symptoms come on suddenly with fevers, headache and
muscle aches. Most people recover in 2-7 days but older people are more likely to get serious complications
from flu. The best way to prevent flu is for you and your patients to get this years flu vaccine.
In some instances flu can be severe and can cause serious HEALTHCARE WORKERS PREVENT THE SPREAD OF
illness and death. Serious breathing complications can FLU AND SAVE LIVES EVERY YEAR BY GETTING THE
develop, including pneumonia and bronchitis, to which FLU VACCINE.
older people and those with certain chronic medical Vaccination should ideally be undertaken in late
conditions are particularly susceptible. Pregnant women September or October each year. Flu vaccine contains
have also been found to be at increased risk of the killed or inactivated viruses and therefore cannot cause
complications of flu. flu. It does however take 10-14 days for the vaccine to
Some people may need hospital treatment and a number start protecting against flu.
of people die from flu each winter.
Each year the seasonal (annual) flu vaccine contains • The vaccine and consultation are free to those
three common influenza virus strains. The flu virus within the recommended groups who have a
changes each year this is why a new influenza vaccine “Medical Card” or “GP Visit Card”
has to be given each year. This years flu vaccine contains
two new strains and one strain that was in last years • The vaccine is free to those within the
vaccine. These are the strains that are likely to cause flu recommended groups who do NOT have a
this winter. “Medical Card” or “GP Visit Card” but they will
Flu vaccine is recommended for be charged a consultation fee.
• All those 65 years of age and over Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) is
• Those with long term medical conditions recommended for those aged 65 years and older and
• All pregnant women (the vaccine can be given those over 2 years with long term medical conditions.
This vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal
at any stage of pregnancy) disease including those most likely to cause serious
• All frontline healthcare workers including: disease.
Pneumococcal vaccine is only required ONCE after
o Medical, nursing and paramedical reaching 65 years of age. Someone who was given their
staff, first dose of this vaccine before they reached 65 years of
age should receive a second dose at least 5 years after
o Medical and nursing students, the first dose.
o Dental personnel
o Hospital porters and cleaners,
o Ambulance personnel,
o Carers
Flu vaccine is recommended for healthcare workers to
protect them from getting flu and to reduce transmission
of flu from them to their family and patients. They care
for elderly and at risk patients who may not get sufficient
protection from the vaccine themselves.
www.immunisation.ie
