Swine Flu (H1N1) Vaccinations Cork

Please bring your PPS number, as your vaccine cannot be recorded without it.

Dr Hilda O'Shea, Cork, answers your more common questions on the Swine Flu in Ireland.

What is the Swine Flu?
The Swine Flu  or the H1N1 virus, according to the World Health organisation is a brand new version of Influenza A.
It is a mild respiratory disease in pigs that has occasionally infected humans in the past. The swine flu that originated in Mexico this year – Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 – is a genetic mixture of viruses seen in pigs, birds and people.
It was called swine flu because it is structured like a virus that usually infects pigs. But it is now a distinctly recognised human influenza virus that could mutate again. 
It is a respiratory virus that is not transmitted via eating food.

Who is currently elegible to receive the swine flu vaccine?
"At risk" patients are the more vulnerable members of the public who are elegible for the swine flu vaccine, these are:

• Pregnant women - from 14 weeks pregnant to 6 weeks after giving birth

Anyone aged over 6 months and under 65 years who has:

• Long-term Lung Disease (like Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis)
• Long-term Heart Disease
• Long-term Kidney Disease
• Long-term Liver Disease
• Long-term Neurological Disease (like MS, Cerebral Palsy)
• Immunosuppression e.g. cancer treatment (and their household contacts)
• Haemoglobinopathies
• Diabetes
• Morbid Obesity (check with your GP)

People aged 65 and over seem to have some immunity to Swine Flu so they are not in the most at-risk group and will be vaccinated at a later stage.

Please ring Dr Hilda O'Sheas clinic on College Rd., 021 4544714, if you are not clear on whether you are an "at risk in their" patient, we will be more than happy to advise.

When will the General public be able to get the Swine Flu?
The HSE will be running an extensive advertising campaign once they have sufficient vaccines available to inform you when you can make an appointment at your GP Practice

What will the swine flu vaccine cost me?
The swine flu vaccine is free. Please bring your PRSI number as your vaccine cannot be recorded without it.

How many  swine flu vaccines do I need to get?
One vaccine is recommended by the World Health Orgainsation at present.

What are the symptoms of the Swine Flu?
The symptoms are similar to the regular flu. a fever or high temp (over 38°C) and 2 or more of the following symptoms:

• unusual tiredness, 
• headache,
• sore throat,
• shortness of breath or cough,
• runny nose, 
• loss of appetite, 
• aching muscles,
• diarrhoea or vomiting.

If you have 2 of the above and so bad you wouldn't walk out the door to pick up a €50 note, you probably have swine flu

I think I have the swine flu, what should I do?
Once you have the swine flu, rest and drink lots of fluids, stay at home to reduce the risk of passing on the infection.

Other Vaccinations

Dr Hilda O'Shea and Practice nurse Finola Keohane are happy to provide vaccinations for the following: Flu, Pneumoccocal and Childhood Vaccines and travel vacines.

The following  travel immunisations are available

• Yellow Fever 
• Tetanus and Diphtheria
• Polio
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Meningitis Type A
• Rabies

        Hepatitis A + Typhoid can be given as one injection         Hepatitis A + Hepatitis B  can be given as one injection

      For detailed information on these diseases and vaccinations, please consult :  www.cdc.gov/travel/diseases.htm#yellow

 Ideally, it is best to present for your vaccinations and advice   some 6 weeks before departure date to ensure that all vaccination courses can be completed before travel.

Vacinations are available at the surgery on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, please ring 021 4544714 to make an appointment.

For further information click on the following:

The Tropical Medical Bureau - http://www.tmb.ie/
Southern Health Board - http://www.shb.ie/

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