What is Flu?
The flu is a viral illness caused by the influenza virus. It is a contagious illness than can be spread to others through water droplets such as from sneezing, coughing and even talking.
People can suffer symptoms that vary from mild to severe. The main symptoms are fever, cough, headache, aches and pains and fatigue. Most symptoms last up to a week but people can still feel tired and drained for a couple of weeks afterwards.
In some cases people can become very ill and develop other illnesses such as pneumonia. According to the HSE, between 200 and 500 people die from the flu each year in Ireland.
Who is at risk?
Any one can get the flu but some people are more at risk of developing complications. These include
- Anyone ages 65 and over
- Pregnant women
- People with long term health conditions such as cancer or lung, kidney, heart or neurological diseases.
- People with a weakened immune system including those undergoing chemotherapy or people with diabetes.
- People who are obese with a BMI of over 40
- People living in a nursing home or a long term care facility
- People with Down Syndrome
- Any child with moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy
- Healthcare workers
- Carers
- Anyone living with people in the at risk groups
- Anyone with regular close contact with water fowl, poultry or pigs.
What is the flu vaccination?
The flu vaccination is a seasonal vaccination best given in September/October as the vaccine can take two weeks to give full protection. The vaccine helps your body to produce antibodies that will help you fight the flu virus. If you do contract the flu, symptoms are likely to be much weaker and shorter lasting than if you didn't get vaccinated.
The vaccine is different each year as the virus itself changes slightly from year to year. This is why it is best to get vaccinated every year to ensure best protection.
Vaccination for adults is by a small needle into the muscle of the upper arm. Side effects are usually mild such as slight swelling or redness at the injection site and mild fever or aches for a couple of days. This can be treated with an ice pack or pain relief such as paracetamol. This does not mean you are getting the flu but is your immune system developing the antibodies to protect you.
There is a very rare chance of developing serious side effects from any vaccinations. Any serious side effect is most likely to occur within 15 minutes of vaccination so you are asked to stay in the pharmacy fo this time. The pharmacist is trained in dealing with this.
There is a new flu vaccination available in Ireland for children ages 2 to 18 years called 'Fluenz Tetra'. This is a nasal spray that is sprayed into each nostril with no needles involved.
Covid-19
Due to the strain covid-19 is putting on our healthcare system it is more important than ever that as many people as possible get the flu vaccine. This can help stop flu spreading as easily and reduce the cases presenting to our hospitals. The flu vaccine itself will not prevent you from getting Covid-19 as it is a different virus
Who is entitled to free vaccination?
The flu vaccine can be given free of charge to anyone over 65 or in any of the risk groups listed above. This includes anyone in contact with someone in a risk group, including someone caring for an elderly person.
Children ages 2 to 12 can receive the nasal spray flu vaccine free of charge regardless of whether they are in an at risk group or not.