Chief HSCP Officer encourages HSCP colleagues to top up their protection with ‘flu and COVID vaccines

Chief Health and Social Care Professions (HSCP) Officer, Fiona Steed is today encouraging other HSCPs to boost their protection against ‘flu and COVID by getting vaccinated.

Speaking as she received her ‘flu vaccine and COVID booster as part of the peer vaccination programme in University Hospital Limerick, the Chief HSCP Officer advised all those eligible, but in particular HSPC colleagues, to avail of the opportunity to boost their protection before the respiratory virus season reaches its peak.

Vaccines for healthcare workers can be administered at walk-in vaccination clinics and for others at a GP or pharmacist. Both vaccines can be administered at the same time.

The seasonal vaccination programme will offer the following:

a ‘flu vaccine in the form of a nasal spray for those aged 2-17 years
an injectable ‘flu vaccine for all other eligible groups

A COVID booster is also available for those aged 50 and over, and certain other categories including those who are immunocompromised.

Chief HSCP Officer, Fiona Steed said:

"Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect ourselves, our families and the people who use our services from the respiratory illnesses that circulate at this time of year.

"Walk-in vaccination clinics like the one I am in today are operating around the country for healthcare workers. Being able to get both vaccines at the same time is a quick and easy way to boost our protection and minimise the risk of serious illness.

"Young children in particular can become very sick from ‘flu so I would encourage parents to consider the nasal spray ‘flu vaccine which is dispensed quickly and painlessly."

Notes

More information about the COVID-19 and ‘flu vaccines.

Healthcare workers can avail of free COVID-19 and ‘flu vaccines at walk-in vaccination clinics. Details of locations nationwide are available.

The ‘flu vaccine is available free of charge for:

all persons aged 65 years and over
children aged 2-17
pregnant individuals
patients aged 6-23 months and 13-64 years at increased risk of flu-related complications
residents of nursing homes and other long stay facilities
healthcare workers
household contacts of people with underlying conditions or Down syndrome
out of home care givers (carers for people who have an underlying chronic health condition or have Down syndrome)

COVID-19 boosters are available for:

those aged 50 years and older
those aged 5-49 years with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination
those aged 5-49 years with medical conditions associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation, severe disease or death
health and care workers
pregnant persons, if it is more than six months since their previous vaccine or COVID-19 infection

Children who missed out on the ‘flu vaccine in school can still get it through GPs and pharmacies.

Chief HSCP Officer encourages HSCP colleagues to top up their protection with ‘flu and COVID vaccines

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