THE Department of Public Health Mid-West is advising people in Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary to avail of the flu vaccine to reduce the risk of severe illness associated with the flu.
While the flu did not circulate widely in the Mid-West region during the flu season last year, there is evidence that influenza is circulating as the numbers of cases notified have increased in recent weeks.
There were nine new influenza cases confirmed in the Mid-West region last week according to the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting [CIDR] system and only 14 cases confirmed in the region since last October.
Further increases in infections in the community are expected as society returns to pre-pandemic levels of social activity.
Flu is a highly infectious illness that affects all age groups and may result in serious disease with poor outcomes for our most vulnerable, particularly the elderly and those with weak immune systems.
You can get a free flu vaccine if you are:
Aged 50 and older
Have a long term illness that increases your risk of developing complications of influenza.
Aged two to 17 years
A healthcare worker
Pregnant
Living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
In regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl
