Press Release: Wednesday 06 November 2024
Protect yourself against flu and COVID-19 this winter – a message from the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer
The interim Chief Medical Officer Professor Mary Horgan and Chief Nursing Officer Rachel Kenna are urging people to top up their protection against flu and COVID-19 by getting vaccinated.
They made their appeal as they each received their flu and COVID-19 vaccines alongside healthcare workers at a staff vaccination clinic at St James’s Hospital in Dublin.
This year’s Health Service Executive (HSE) Winter vaccination programme provides flu and COVID-19 vaccines free of charge to recommended groups, including those aged 60 and over, healthcare workers, anyone who is pregnant and people with a long-term health condition.
Children aged two to 17 years can receive a free nasal spray flu vaccine.
Both vaccines are available from participating GPs and pharmacies and are also available to healthcare workers at vaccination clinics in many workplaces.
From the time the vaccines are administered, it takes approximately two weeks for their protective effect to kick in, so there is still time for people to get vaccinated now and be protected before the respiratory virus season reaches its peak.
Interim Chief Medical Officer Professor Horgan, said:
“Flu and COVID-19 can cause serious illness, and last year they were responsible for thousands of hospitalisations.
“As well as protecting the individual, vaccines protect those around us, as they reduce the spread of infection to people who may be more vulnerable to severe illness. The flu and COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and can be administered at the same time.
“I’m particularly encouraging parents of young children to consider getting the nasal spray flu vaccine for their children. GPs and pharmacists are delivering this programme and you can visit the HSE website for a list of participating pharmacies offering this important vaccine.
“As the weather gets colder and we spend more time indoors, we can reduce the risk of illness and ease the burden on hospitals by doing everything we can to minimise the spread of these viruses.”
Chief Nursing Officer Rachel Kenna, said:
“Our immunity wanes over time so even if you have received your flu and COVID-19 vaccines in previous years, you should still take up the opportunity to get vaccinated this year.
“We can all play our part in increasing vaccination uptake. I was delighted on my visit to St James’s Hospital to meet with healthcare workers who are protecting themselves and their patients by getting their vaccines.
“We need a high uptake rate to maximise protection among the population, so today I’m encouraging all my nursing, midwifery medical and health and social care professional colleagues to please top up your protection. There are vaccination clinics in healthcare settings all over the country so by taking just a few minutes out of your day you can protect yourself and all the patients and people who use healthcare services this winter.”
