2020 / 2021 Flu vaccination in Cork

It’s more important than ever to get your flu vaccine in Cork this winter.

With Covid 19 still impacting on our daily lives and presenting its health threats, getting your flu vaccine this Autumn is, as, if not more, important than ever. Each year, the seasonal flu vaccine is formulated to protect against the four most common flu viruses which are circulating.

The flu vaccination protects against this season’s four most commonly circulating strains of flu.

This year’s 2020/21 flu vaccination

It’s the World Health Organisation which recommends which strains of flu are most likely to be around this year. This year’s four strains are:

1. A/Guangdong-Maonan/SWL1536/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
2. A/Hong Kong/2671/2019 (H3N2)-like virus
3. B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
4. B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus

The 2020/2021 HSE seasonal vaccination programme will offer 2 vaccines:

1. 1. The Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur for people with long term health conditions.

A Patient Information Leaflet and the Summary of Product Characteristics are available from www.hpra.ie.

2. The Fluenz Tetra nasal spray suspension Influenza vaccine (live attenuated, nasal) manufactured by AstraZeneca AB for children aged 2 to 12 years

A Patient Information Leaflet and the Summary of Product Characteristics are available from www.hpra.ie.

Who should get a flu vaccine in Cork?

Catching flu is more likely to cause complications in some people. You can get a free flu vaccine in Cork if you:

• Are 65 years of age and over.
• Are pregnant.
• Are a child aged 2 to 12 years (new for 2020/2021).

Are an adult with a long-term health condition such as:

• Chronic heart disease, including acute coronary syndrome.
• Chronic liver disease.
• Chronic renal failure.
• Chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma or bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
• Chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Morbid obesity i.e. Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40.
• Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment (including treatment for cancer).
• Are a child with a moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorder such as cerebral palsy.
• Were born with Down syndrome.
• Live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility.

Some people should get the vaccine to protect themselves, their families and those they care for, including those who:

• Work in healthcare.
• Are a carer or live with someone who is at risk of flu because of a long-term health condition.
• Are a carer or live with someone who has Down Syndrome.
• People who are in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl should also get the flu vaccine.

Contact Irwin’s pharmacy to find out more about flu vaccines in Cork

For any advice about flu, flu vaccinations or your other health concerns, call 021-430 4165 now. Your friendly local pharmacists here at Irwin’s Pharmacy are always happy to provide healthcare advice to local people in Cork.

It’s easy to get a free flu vaccine in Cork

In Cork and Ireland, you can get the flu vaccine from:

• Your local GP.
• A local pharmacy, such as your local Irwin’s shop in Cork.
• An occupational health department or peer vaccinator if you work in healthcare.

Alternatively, to find your local vaccination clinic call 021-4922018 (Cork University Hospital). Or, you can also contact us online or call 021-430 4165 to speak to the team here at Irwin’s Pharmacies. Our friendly pharmacists are ready to give advice about flu vaccinations to local people in Cork.

How do you know if you’ve got flu?

Typically, flu symptoms are much worse than a common cold and flu lasts longer. Flu does not usually cause vomiting or diarrhoea in adults. If you’re showing any of the following common symptoms, you may have flu –

• Fever
• Aching body
• Headache
• Dry cough and/or a dry sore throat
• Feeling unusually tired and less hungry

How long do flu symptoms last?

Flu symptoms are usually worst for three or four days. After you’ve been in contact with someone who has the virus, it usually takes 1 – 4 days for symptoms to appear. It can take up to a fortnight to fully recover from a bout of flu.

What should you do if you’ve got flu in Cork?

As flu causes mostly moderate illness, most people recover at home without needing anti-viral medicine, by taking rest and drinking plenty of fluids. However, if you feel particularly ill, or if you’re in a high-risk group, you should contact your local GP without delay. You can also call Irwin’s pharmacy on 021-430 4165. Our pharmacists would be happy to give you advice.