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04/11/2013
Low Uptake Of Flu Vaccine Among Health Workers
Patients in Ireland are at risk, due to the low uptake of the flu vaccine among healthcare workers, according to Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke.
Burke, who is also Seanad Spokesperson on Health, highlighted the need for healthcare to become more active in halting the spread of the flu in the coming winter months.
The announcement comes after statistics from the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre revealed that only 17.4% of healthcare workers received the seasonal influenza vaccine during the 2012/13 flu season.
Commenting on figures, Mr Burke said: "Influenza remains the leading cause of death from infectious disease among the elderly population and those whose immune system is already weakened. Due to its highly infectious nature it can be easily passed from person to person.
"Immunisation is one of the most effective healthcare interventions to stem that infection. It is therefore unacceptable that healthcare workers may, unintentionally, be a source of infection by failing to take up the vaccine.
"Seasonal flu outbreaks place a tremendous strain upon the health system and have significant implication for the annual health budget, the cost of which can be very difficult to forecast."
He continued: "While immunisation is only one part of a wider policy to prevent the transmission of influenza, a pro-active approach by health workers in taking up the vaccine makes for good practice and further protects patients."
(JP/IT)
Burke, who is also Seanad Spokesperson on Health, highlighted the need for healthcare to become more active in halting the spread of the flu in the coming winter months.
The announcement comes after statistics from the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre revealed that only 17.4% of healthcare workers received the seasonal influenza vaccine during the 2012/13 flu season.
Commenting on figures, Mr Burke said: "Influenza remains the leading cause of death from infectious disease among the elderly population and those whose immune system is already weakened. Due to its highly infectious nature it can be easily passed from person to person.
"Immunisation is one of the most effective healthcare interventions to stem that infection. It is therefore unacceptable that healthcare workers may, unintentionally, be a source of infection by failing to take up the vaccine.
"Seasonal flu outbreaks place a tremendous strain upon the health system and have significant implication for the annual health budget, the cost of which can be very difficult to forecast."
He continued: "While immunisation is only one part of a wider policy to prevent the transmission of influenza, a pro-active approach by health workers in taking up the vaccine makes for good practice and further protects patients."
(JP/IT)
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Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
