Medical professionals are advising people to get the flu jab for their wellbeing this flu season. A vaccine is taken to prevent the virus, the at risk members of the society are urged to take the flu jab before winter comes.

The flu viruses change every year and that is why you need to get the vaccine each year. The World Health Organization (WHO) informs that the flu vaccine protects against four different strands of the virus.

The seasonal flu vaccine is available from October until the end of April. Cynthia Nwakamma a board certified nurse urges everyone to get the flu shot and not just those who are at risk.

You can get your flu shot at your local pharmacy or hospital such as Wonder Care Private health care centre. It’s better to take the flu vaccination before winter starts as the flu vaccine take about two weeks for the effectiveness to be at its optimal level.

The flu is a virus that affects the lungs and upper airway. Symptoms of the flu include cough, sore throat, catarrh, headaches, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, nausea and rhinitis.

Rhinitis makes the nasal passage blocked which cause discomfort. The flu can also worsen existing conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure, but getting the flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the influenza virus in asthma patients.

When the flu vaccine is taken. it helps your body produce antibodies which in turn fight the influenza virus. People in the at risk group are the elderly, pregnant women, anyone with a long time health conditions, worker in health care, people in close proximity to pigs and poultry Cynthia urges those who are in the at risk group to get the flu jab.

Age is an important factor when considering those in most need of the flu jab. The extremes of the very young and the seniors are the most susceptible to having the flu. The reason why they are the most susceptible is because their immune system is very low.

The ability of their bodies to prevent germs from attacking them is very low. Very young children are at risk because their immune system is not yet well developed and can’t fight the influenza virus. Cynthia say that the age groups in most need of the jab are from six months old to five years and from 65 years and above.

When pregnant it is important to talk to your GP before taken the flu vaccine. Don’t get the flu vaccine if you are taking medication the combines checkpoint inhibitor. If you are already sick with a temperature greater than 38 degrees Celsius postpone taking the flu vaccine.

Some people have that idiosyncrasy that make them have adverse reaction to everything Before taking the jab one needs to be aware of any allergies. Before taking the jab speak to you GP about previous allergy reactions.

The process of getting the flu vaccination varies, if you have your medical card you can get the flu vaccination for free if you are at risk. Just go to your local pharmacy or hospital like Wonder Care Private health care centre with your medical and get the flu vaccination. If you don’t have a medical card, you can give your pps number and you will be able to get the flu shot for a price

After getting the flu vaccination some of the commons side effects are: redness or selling where the injection was administered, headache, fever, ache and tiredness may occur. If this happened there is nothing to be alarmed about. Those symptoms will be gone in a few days and it doesn’t mean you have the flu. Stay health and safe and contact you GP for more information about the flu shot.

Primary source: Cynthia Nwakamma a board certified nurse

Secondary source: https://www.hse.ie/eng/