All healthcare workers and people in at-risk groups in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford are being urged to get the Flu Vaccine and the COVID-19 booster vaccine.
In a short video released this week by the HSE’s South East Community Healthcare organisation and HSE’s Dept. of Public Health/Dublin and South East, viewers are told that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the impact that Flu and viral illnesses can have on our health and the pressure this can put on our health system.
Viewers are also advised that one of the best ways of protecting ourselves and our healthcare workers is by getting vaccinated.
The video can be seen at https://youtu.be/mVHWqz-83-o?si=ZQWPf2PF5Junfa3V
Footage for this video was taken at the HSE’s recent “Prepare and Prevent – Getting it right this Winter” seminar for healthcare workers and healthcare facilities in the South East, the launch by HSE South East Community Healthcare (SECH) and HSE’s Dept. of Public Health/Dublin and South East of the vaccination campaign and at another clinic dispensing the winter immunity top-ups to staff at St. Luke’s General Hospital Carlow/Kilkenny.
Speaking on the video and in an appeal to fellow healthcare workers to top up on their winter immunities, Kate Cassidy (General Manger, Vaccinations Programme, HSE/South East Community Healthcare) says:
“The Flu Vaccine and the COVID-19 booster gives you protection against the viruses that are out there circulating right now.”
“Also, we lose our immunity from previous vaccines, so it’s important to get the new vaccine.”
“Just remember, you may be able to fight COVID-19 or the Flu but it’s the people we serve – it’s the older populations and our our colleagues in the long-term care facilities who may suffer the most. So, by you taking your booster, you are protecting your patients.”
Speaking at the recent seminar and in support of the vaccination campaign under way, Dr. Jacinta Mulroe (Public Health Specialist with the HSE’s Dublin and South East Public Health Dept.) said:
“The significance of the vaccination programme in saving people from serious illness and death from Covid19 is highlighted by recent research undertaken by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on the impact of the COVID19 vaccine programme in Ireland on reducing deaths and hospitalisations. Between December 2021 and March 2023, the study estimates that the vaccination programme prevented 87% of deaths, 81% of hospitalisations and 89% of ICU admissions that would have been expected to occur in the absence of vaccination.”
“The Flu vaccine is safe and effective. It helps to protect you from Flu. If you can’t get the Flu, you can’t spread the Flu. Less Flu in the community, of course, also alleviates pressure on emergency departments of hospitals and GP practices. As Doctors we recommend these vaccines, as they offer significant health benefits and protect people from these illnesses.”
Speaking when receiving her Flu vaccine recently at a clinic in St. Luke’s General Hospital Carlow/Kilkenny and in her own video message to colleagues (See https://youtube.com/shorts/tkHG_0qfMMQ?si=6NDgMIhgp2ZP8Qlt), Grace Rothwell (Chief Officer, HSE/South East Community Healthcare) says:
“Flu and COVID-19 vaccines give your immune system the top-up it needs to help protect you from serious illness. We can all play a part in reducing the risks of serious illness from winter viruses to ourselves and our loved ones by getting vaccinated and following public health guidelines.”
“The HSE in the South East is asking all healthcare workers to get the Flu and COVID-19 vaccines this year. Vaccination is the best way to protect ourselves, our communities and the people we care for in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.”
For more information on and accessing the Flu Vaccine, see https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/vaccine/
For more information on and accessing the COVID-19 vaccines, see https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-booster-dose/
Last updated on: 09 / 11 / 2023
