Laois people advised by HS to get flu vaccine
Image for illustration purposes
WITH the holiday season in full swing, the HSE midlands has put out its annual health advisory to the public over the coming winter weeks; key among the advice is that everyone that can should avail of a flu vaccine, as respiratory diseases are in heavy circulation this year. They are free for all at-risk groups; those aged 60+ and children between 11-17 years, care workers, people living with underlying conditions, carers and household contacts of immunocompromised individuals.
In a statement, Carol Broadbank, the integrated healthcare area manager for the HSE, highlighted the need for citizens to get the vaccine, not only to protect their own health but to help alleviate the pressure on the health service at a notoriously busy time of year. She also stressed that while people attending ED units with less serious illnesses or injuries will be seen, they will experience much longer waiting time and she is advising those patients who can to seek treatment in alternative health services; for example, injury units, GP services and pharmacies.
"We are working with our community health services to ensure that those patients who can be treated in alternative services are seen and avoid hospital admission and that a continuous focus remains on patient flow through our hospitals," Ms Broadbank said.
In the case of minor illness, the HSE advises that you can visit your local pharmacy for advice.
With specific regard to the midlands, the HSE wants it to be known that the children’s flu vaccine – which is administered through the painless means of a nasal spray â will be available from two separate pop-up clinics over the festive period: Monday 29 December, 10am to 4pm, Mobile Vaccination Base Midlands adjacent to the health centre, St Fintan’s Campus, Dublin Road, Portlaoise ( R32 ED81); Tuesday 30 December, 10am to 4pm, Tullamore Primary Care Centre, Church Street, Tullamore (R35 K1W4).
Patients are also asked to remember that GP surgeries will be open as normal on non-bank holiday days and that there is urgent out-of-hours GP care available when your normal surgery closes for the evening, though it is a by appointment service aimed at those who are feeling seriously unwell.
The MIDOC service is one example.
