Call for high-risk groups to get flu jab

HEALTH protection officials yesterday advised the elderly and those with severe illness to get vaccinated after a doubling of flu cases nationwide in the last fortnight.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) issued the alert for high-risk groups after regular updates from general practitioners around the country noted a sharp increase in influenza-like cases.

“As influenza is now circulating in the community, it is important that people in high-risk categories get vaccinated against influenza,” said the HPSC’s specialist in public health medicine, Dr Joan O’Donnell.

High-risk categories being warned to get vaccinated because of the rapid increase in flu cases include:

*The over 65s.

*People with severe illness, such as chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease and diabetes.

*Those with lower immunity owing to disease or treatment, including those who have had their spleens removed.

*Children or teenagers on long-term aspirin therapy.

*Residents of nursing homes and old age homes.

*Healthcare workers.

It is estimated that in the last two weeks, the number of flu cases has risen to 44.5 per 100,000 of the population from a previous rate of 22.5 per 100,000.

“We are advising health professionals to use antiviral drugs for the prevention or treatment of influenza in high-risk groups,” added Dr O’Donnell.

Symptoms for flu as opposed to a cold differ greatly. Suspect influenza symptoms include a high temperature, sore muscles, dry cough, headache and sore throat.

This is different from the common cold, which tends to come on more gradually and usually includes a runny nose and a normal temperature.