Healthcare workers and people in at-risk groups in Carlow encouraged to get flu jab

All healthcare workers and people in at-risk groups in Carlow along with counties; Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford are being urged to get the Flu Vaccine and the COVID-19 booster vaccine.

In a short video released this week by the HSE’s South East Community Healthcare organisation and HSE’s Dept. of Public Health/Dublin and South East, viewers are told that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the impact that Flu and viral illnesses can have on our health and the pressure this can put on our health system.

Viewers are also advised that one of the best ways of protecting ourselves and our healthcare workers is by getting vaccinated.

Footage for this video was taken at the HSE’s recent 'Prepare and Prevent – Getting it right this Winter' seminar for healthcare workers and healthcare facilities in the South East, the launch by HSE South East Community Healthcare (SECH) and HSE’s Dept. of Public Health/Dublin and South East of the vaccination campaign and at another clinic dispensing the winter immunity top-ups to staff at St. Luke’s General Hospital Carlow/Kilkenny.

Speaking on the video and in an appeal to fellow healthcare workers to top up on their winter immunities, Kate Cassidy (General Manger, Vaccinations Programme, HSE/South East Community Healthcare) said: "The Flu Vaccine and the COVID-19 booster gives you protection against the viruses that are out there circulating right now."

"Just remember, you may be able to fight COVID-19 or the Flu but it’s the people we serve – it’s the older populations and our our colleagues in the long-term care facilities who may suffer the most. So, by you taking your booster, you are protecting your patients," she said.

Speaking when receiving her Flu vaccine recently at a clinic in St. Luke’s General Hospital Carlow/Kilkenny and in her own video message to colleagues,  Grace Rothwell (Chief Officer, HSE/South East Community Healthcare) commented: "Flu and COVID-19 vaccines give your immune system the top-up it needs to help protect you from serious illness. We can all play a part in reducing the risks of serious illness from winter viruses to ourselves and our loved ones by getting vaccinated and following public health guidelines."

"The HSE in the South East is asking all healthcare workers to get the Flu and COVID-19 vaccines this year. Vaccination is the best way to protect ourselves, our communities and the people we care for," she stated.