A walk-in flu vaccination clinic is being held in Galway City today as the HSE is encouraging people to get themselves vaccinated.
The vaccination clinic will run from 1pm – 3:30pm at Galway City East Primary Care Centre, Merlin Business Park.
Children aged from 2 – 17 years old are now able to avail of free nasal spray flu vaccines.
Dr Aparna Keegan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine with the HSE’s National Immunisation Office says; “We encourage all parents to avail of these walk-in clinics as we expect flu numbers to rise over the coming weeks.”
“With increased socialisation at this time of year, the risk of contracting flu becomes greater.
“Children are more likely to contract and pass on flu and can become seriously ill as a result. Vaccinating children protects them – and their siblings, parents, grandparents and those who are vulnerable.”
Most children who get the flu have mild symptoms. But children and young people with long-term health conditions are at risk of serious complications from flu.
In some children, flu can lead to problems such as:
- pneumonia
- bronchitis
- inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
- Children with these complications may need hospital treatment. Some may need intensive care.
In the past 10 years in Ireland, almost 5,000 children were admitted to hospital with complications of flu.
Almost 200 children had treatment in intensive carem and 40 children died as a result.
