The Influenza Vaccination is now available at Athboy Family Practice
It is very important that at risk patients ensure they receive the vaccination before any potential outbreak of seasonal flu. If you are 65 or over or have a long term medical condition you should also ask your doctor about the pneumococcal vaccine which protects against pneumonia.
Our arrangements for administration will be as follows:
The flu vaccine will be available without appointment on a walk in basis as follows:
Wednesday morning 7am
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings – 8am
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons – 2pm.
The flu vaccine is also available by appointment anytime during surgery hours.
If you have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’ the vaccine and consultation are free.
If you do not have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’ you will be charged a consultation fee of 30euro for the seasonal flu vaccine.
If these times don’t suit the secretariat can take your details so a suitable time can be arranged.
Seasonal Flu Vaccine Information
There has been a steady increase in the number of cases of flu in recent years.
Flu is a very infectious and potentially serious illness and a new flu vaccine must be given each year.
Flu can cause severe illness and can even be life threatening for older people, those who have a long term illness and pregnant women.
Flu is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Influenza affects people of all ages. Outbreaks of flu occur almost every year, usually in winter. This is why it is also known as seasonal flu.
Flu can be prevented by vaccination. Flu vaccination is a safe, effective way to help prevent flu infection, avoid hospitalisation and reduce flu-related deaths and illnesses.
What strains are in this season’s flu vaccine?
This year’s seasonal flu vaccine contains protection against 3 strains of flu virus recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the strains most likely to be circulating this season. The three strains are
- an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09-like strain
- an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like strain
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like strain
The flu virus changes each year. This is why a new flu vaccine has to be given each year.
What is the name of this season’s flu vaccine?
This year’s season flu vaccine is called Inactivated Influenza vaccine (Split Virion) BP. It is manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur. The Patient Information Leaflet and the Summary of Product Characteristics are available here
- Inactivated Influenza vaccine (Split Virion) BP – Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC)
- Inactivated Influenza vaccine (Split Virion) BP – Patient Information Leaflet (PIL)
Get the vaccine, not the flu!
The HSE is urging people in at-risk groups to get vaccinated against influenza.
Vaccination is strongly recommended for:
- persons aged 65 and older
- those with long term medical conditions such as diabetes and chronic heart, kidney, lung or neurological disease
- people whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment including all cancer patients
- persons with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40
- pregnant women (at any stage in pregnancy)
- residents of nursing homes and other long stay institutions
- people with regular close contact with poultry, water fowl or pigs
- health care workers
- carers
Pneumococcal Vaccine
The vaccine and consultation are free for those with a Medical Card or GP Visit Card. The seasonal flu campaign for 2017/2018 will continue until the end of April 2018.
Those without a Medical Card or GP Visit Card will be charged a consultation fee.
If you are 65 or over or have a long term medical condition you should also ask your doctor about the pneumococcal vaccine.
Source: www.hse.ie