Coronavirus: flu vaccines ‘more important than ever’

The launch of the annual influenza vaccine begins at NI starting Saturday, and the health minister describes it as more important than ever during the coronavirus pandemic.

Robin Swann said that reducing the risk of flu will help the healthcare system better manage the increase in Covid-19 cases.

He warned that anyone who becomes co-infected with the flu and coronavirus could end up with “serious illness.”

Swann said that all measures must be taken to “reduce the risk of the flu.”

Since flu and coronavirus share similar symptoms, “it has the potential to complicate the vital work of the contact monitoring and surveillance program,” he warned.

He added: “Reducing the pressure caused by seasonal flu will help preserve the capacity of the health and social care system to handle any future waves of Covid-19.”

On Friday, 934 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Northern Ireland, more than double the previous daily high.

The figures show 201 new cases in the Derry and Strabane council area, 191 in Belfast and 182 in Newry and Morne.

Cases were expected to spike in colder months, when other viruses like flu are also on the rise, but Swann said it looked like “October is going to be our Covid winter.”

Urged to get vaccinated

The vaccine is available for people over 65 and at risk groups, including pregnant women and young children.

Preschool and primary school children are also eligible and this year, Year 8 secondary school students will also be able to receive the vaccine.

It is also available to people under 65 with an underlying health condition and to contacts of those who received a letter of protection against coronavirus from their doctor earlier this year.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) urges all persons eligible for a free flu vaccination to receive it.

“For most people, the flu is a very unpleasant illness, but in some cases and for those in ‘risk’ groups it can be very dangerous and sometimes fatal,” said Dr. David Irwin of the PHA. .

That is why we have an extensive vaccination program that helps protect groups at special risk in our community. “

‘Socially estranged’

In some areas of Northern Ireland on Saturday, GPs are implementing vaccination programs on a large scale.

In the North West, various GPs will conduct vaccination clinics at three schools: Thornhill College, Foyle College (both in Londonderry) and Limavady High School.

Derry GP Dr Simon O’Hagan said the pandemic means it is not possible to carry out vaccines in surgeries as in other years.

Using schools, he said, means “we can invite people on specific days and within specific time slots.”

“Because the sites are much larger with a lot of parking, and also with large sports halls, etc., we can deliver the vaccines in a safe and socially distanced way,” he added.