A leading pharmacist is warning the public “really need to worry” about getting their flu vaccines over fears the health service will buckle under what is being termed as the Twindemic coming down the tracks.
What has been dubbed as the Twindemic, a combination of Covid-19 and the Winter flu, the 2022 Winter Health Index from Lloyds Pharmacy has shown a lack of concern from the Irish public towards the risks involved.
Three in five Irish adults claim they are not concerned about winter flu season but the HSE’s draft winter plan reveals plans are being made for as many as 17,000 hospitalisations, 700 possibly in ICU, according to the Sunday Independent.
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The concern follows the latest trends seen in Australia where the winter flu, combined with Covid-19 led to a difficult winter for the health service. This year, Australia saw the flu virus affecting all age groups, and not just the elderly or vulnerable.
Research commissioned by Lloyds Pharmacy shows 71% of Irish adults aged 35 to 44 intend to either not go for flu vaccination or are still unsure, despite the evidence of the flu vaccination playing a vital role in keeping people well and healthy during the tough winter months.
Rebecca Barry, Supervising Pharmacist with Llyods Pharmacy said: “It is often observed that winter flu difficulties experienced in Australia are replicated across Europe in the months that follow.
“People really need to worry about getting their flu vaccines due to the noteworthy stress the health system in Australia has been under due to the Twindemic. They shouldn’t be complacent.
“It is so important that members of the public get vaccinated as the health service here will be swamped otherwise.”
This flu season, children aged two to 17 years can get the nasal flu vaccine free of charge as a third (36%) of parents claim that they are planning to have their children protected with the flu vaccine this year to prevent winter flu.
Ms Barry added that the flu season normally “raises its head” here in November and December.
“The sooner people are vaccinated the earlier they will be protected. It can take three weeks for a person’s immune system to be protected after getting the vaccine, “she said.
“Old social habits are back and all the face mask wearing, sanitising and social distancing are all gone out the window so the flu virus will hit. People are also tending to forget that Covid-19 hasn’t gone away.”
The flu virus affects all age groups and if a person is aged 18 years or over and are in one of the groups recommended to get the flu vaccination you may be eligible to get it free of charge.
The Winter Health Index was created in 2021 by Lloyds Pharmacy to monitor people’s changes in attitudes and actions surrounding healthier living, preventative health measures, and a better understanding of their overall health.
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