Jab appeal as swine flu death toll hits 17
HEALTH officials last night appealed to the public to avail of the swine flu vaccine after a man died from complications of the virus.
The death of the man, who had an underlying illness, brings to 17 the number of people who have died here since the outbreak began.
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said yesterday the spread of the virus is continuing to fall with 15,000 developing the flu-like illness last week.
But he warned people to remain on guard as the rate of infection was still high, particularly among young people.
Health officials expressed concern that just a quarter of the 150,000 under-five-year-olds invited to have the vaccine have so far been brought by parents to HSE clinics.
They fear that as the public believes the flu threat is waning they will put off getting the vaccine, but the rate is still higher than any previous peak of normal seasonal flu.
Records show around 240,000 people have been vaccinated here so far but the real figure is two to three times higher, said Dr Joan Gilvarry of the Irish Medicines Board.
Overall there have been 368 adverse reactions to the vaccine reported and all have been in the expected range, a pattern repeated in the EU.
Dr Patrick Doorley, HSE head of population health, said vaccination of schoolchildren will get under way next week.
Babies under six months cannot be vaccinated but their household contacts are to be offered the vaccine instead.
Around 40-50pc of healthcare workers have been vaccinated, higher than the take up for the seasonal flu vaccine.
GPs would have vaccinated all their at-risk patients at this stage and can use up existing stocks on other groups, Dr Doorley added.
- Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent
Irish Independent
