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Varadkar urges people at risk and health workers to get vaccinated for influenza
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has asked people at particular risk, such as older people, pregnant women or people with chronic diseases, and also health workers to get the influenza vaccine.
Speaking today Minister Varadkar said: “In recent days more patients have been attending GP surgeries and hospitals with flu-like illnesses.
“The flu can make you very sick but the vaccine is a very effective way of preventing illness. Half a million people have been vaccinated already but we still have a quarter of a million doses.
“That’s why we are asking the following groups to attend their GP or local pharmacist to get vaccinated:
· People at higher risk such as the over 65s, pregnant women, or if you have a chronic disease;
· Healthcare staff dealing with patients, who should be vaccinated to protect themselves and their patients.
“And we are asking doctors who are seeing patients with flu-like illnesses to use the anti-viral medications in accordance with protocol.”