Pharmacists welcome enlargement of flu vaccination

The flu resulted in more than 4,000 people being hospitalized in Ireland during the last flu season

Darragh J O’Loughlin, IPU

The pharmacists have welcomed Health Secretary Stephen Donnelly's announcement that the flu vaccination program will be expanded this year and said the move will save lives.

The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said flu vaccination in the first winter of life with Covid-19 will play an important role in protecting health.

"There is no doubt that expanding the program and making the vaccine available free of charge will save lives for children and anyone in a risk group," said IPU General Secretary Darragh O’Loughlin.

He said more than 4,000 people were hospitalized in Ireland during the last flu season, more than with Covid-19, which was a reminder of the severity of the disease.

“Since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, we have consistently called for a substantial investment in this year's national flu vaccination campaign. This is to keep people safe from the flu and to protect our healthcare system from its effects so we can cope with the ongoing effects of Covid-19. "

The pharmacists endeavored to ensure increased availability, which meant a nationwide increase in acceptance.

More than 1.1 million flu vaccines were dispensed in Ireland last year, an increase of 60 percent since pharmacies were first allowed to administer the vaccine a decade ago.

O'Loughlin urged everyone to get vaccinated early: "The sooner we are all vaccinated, the sooner we will protect ourselves, our families and our entire communities. We can't stop Covid-19 yet, but we have a vaccine against the flu, and that is everyone's responsibility. "

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