HSE urging high risk groups to have flu jab

Increasing incidents of flu have led the HSE to urge  people in high-risk groups to get vaccinated against virus, as the number of reported cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) in Ireland has increased in the last week.
ILI rates have risen from 20.5 per 100,000 population to 32.4 per 100,000 population during the second week of February, which means that flu is actively circulating in the community, according to specialist in public health medicine, Dr Joan O’Donnell.
“It is still not too late for people who are at risk of the complications of flu to get vaccinated against the disease if they have not already done so. The vaccine is available free of charge from GPs for all people in at risk groups, and from pharmacists for everyone aged 65 and over.  An administration charge may apply to people who don’t hold medical cards or GP visit cards.
High-risk groups are: those 65 years and older, people including children with chronic illness, those with lower immunity due to disease or treatment, all pregnant women, those with morbid obesity, residents of nursing homes, old people's homes and other long stay facilities.