29/11/2022
One of the country’s leading experts on vaccinations has warned of the dangers posed by flu this winter, urging eligible members of the public to step forward for both their annual flu jab and COVID autumn booster.
Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Dr Maurice O’Kane, has appealed to everyone to bring their vaccines up to date, insisting that vaccines are a safe and trusted way to protect yourself this winter.
“We are all very aware of the dangers of COVID, but we can sometimes forget that the flu can cause serious illness also. Each year in the UK, over 30,000 people die of flu.
This year we have a particular concern about flu. Because of the COVID restrictions which have been in place over the past two to three years, there has been much less ‘flu circulating, and so immunity in the population is low. Therefore this year we are particularly vulnerable to flu.
The more of us who get vaccinated, the greater the protection afforded to everyone. Getting your COVID and flu vaccinations might be the most important thing you do today, and it could save someone’s life.”
Vaccine clinics are being held on all three of the Western Trust’s hospital sites at Altnagelvin, Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex, and South-West Acute Hospital until December 16th, and are open to both staff and the public.
Online booking is available but not required, and walk ins are accepted at all clinics.
You can choose to have your COVID booster and ‘flu vaccines separately or combined on your visit.
For full details on all upcoming clinics, visit the vaccination page at westerntrust.hscni.net/western-trust-covid-19-information-updates/covid-19-vaccination-programme