Top up your winter protection: HSE’s Winter Vaccines Campaign
The HSE has developed a new advertising campaign that aims to promote and encourage people in Ireland to get their recommended winter vaccines (flu and COVID-19). You can view and share the TV ad at this link: https://youtu.be/IBxdYLOLEHE
This campaign brings flu and COVID-19 vaccines together for key audiences – older people (this includes new 65+ cohort for their next booster but also anyone aged 50+ who’s yet to get their COVID-19 booster), healthcare workers, parents of children, people with long term conditions, and anyone who’s pregnant.
The campaign is informed by research on public attitudes and behaviors around COVID-19 and in-depth qualitative research.
HSE’s Winter Vaccination Program: Older people and at-risk groups urged to protect themselves against both flu and COVID-19 by getting their vaccines
The HSE’s winter vaccination program is underway with the roll out of the free flu vaccine to recommended groups while those aged over 65 and all aged 12 and over with a weak immune system are invited for their 3rd COVID-19 booster vaccination.
The adapted bivalent vaccines are now available. These vaccines have been recommended for use as booster vaccinations by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), following approval by the European Medicines Agency.
Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available from participating GPs and Pharmacies and can be given at the same time. 15 vaccination centres across the country will also continue to provide COVID-19 vaccines,
Please find more information at https://www.hse.ie/eng/
What is my COVID-19 vaccination course?
You can download a visual guide https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/covid19vaccineinfo4hps/vaccinejourney.html on the recommended COVID-19 vaccination course for people living in Ireland here. https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/covid19vaccineinfo4hps/vaccinejourney.html
COVID-19 and booster updates
People in the following groups who haven’t had a second booster vaccine can now boost their protection:
- People aged 50 and older.
- People aged 12 or over with a long-term health condition like diabetes, asthma or heart disease. Please find the lists of health conditions here. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/people-at-higher-risk/overview/#conditions-that-put-you-at-higher-risk
- Healthcare workers.
- Anyone who is at least 16 weeks pregnant. If you’re pregnant and you haven’t had a first booster, you can get this at any stage of your pregnancy.
Your next COVID-19 vaccine will help protect you from serious illness in the months ahead. This is because protection from previous vaccines or from COVID-19 infection, decreases over time.
If you’ve had COVID-19 recently, wait 4 months before booking your vaccine appointment.
Vaccines are also available from participating GPs and pharmacies.
For more up to date information or to book an appointment in a HSE vaccination centre, visit https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/booking/ or call our team in HSE Live on 1800 700 700.
COVID-19 Testing
Details are available here: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/testing/get-tested/
Paxlovid™ in Ireland
Paxlovid™ is an oral medication used to treat COVID-19. It can be used to treat people who are at highest risk and should be taken in the first 5 days of illness. Paxlovid™ may not be suitable for all patients, but it can be considered for:
- Vaccinated people aged 75 or over
- Vaccinated people aged 65 or over who also have additional risks including obesity (BMI over 35), diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease
If you have COVID-19 symptoms and are at higher risk, talk to your GP or hospital team. You can find more information here. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/symptoms/treatments-for-covid-19/
COVID-19 vaccine resources
The HSE produces and regularly updates resources for the COVID-19 vaccine. You can visit the COVID-19 vaccine materials page for the latest leaflets and booklets including information on boosters and vaccines for children.: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/covid-19-resources-and-translations/covid-19-vaccine-materials/covid-19-vaccine-materials.html
COVID-19 information in other languages
Visit http://www.hse.ie/translations for a range of COVID-19 vaccine information videos and resources that have been produced in other languages, including information on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy.
Information videos on COVID-19 vaccination for parents of children aged 5-11 are available here.
Animated videos for children about COVID-19 vaccination
Animated videos for children are now available in English, Irish, Irish Sign Language and 11 other languages. You can see all of the videos here. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsQK32cdMW_yn_CkiJCL_QbLUkU7rXq4T
Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Attend your BreastCheck appointment when invited
BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme, is encouraging women to attend their screening appointment when invited. BreastCheck offers free breast cancer screening to women aged 50 to 69. The appointment takes less than an hour and, for most women, will happen in a location close to where they live.
Every year, around 3,500 (1 in 7) women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland, making it the most common invasive cancer among women. Of these, BreastCheck will detect around a third of breast cancer cases.
It’s important for all women to check for lumps or physical changes in the shape, skin or size of their breasts. If there are any changes, they should contact their GP. This is because cancer can occur at any time, including between your screening appointments.
If you haven’t had your first BreastCheck screen, you can check you are on our register at https://www2.hse.ie/breast-screening/ , Freephone 1800 45 45 55 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or email us at [email protected]
Free home STI testing
The HSE has launched the free national home STI testing service, which is now available in all 26 counties in Ireland.
Anyone aged 17 and over can now order a free home STI test kit on the online platform by visiting www.sexualwellbeing.ie.
HSE issues Public Health advice following bacterial meningitis notifications
The HSE has confirmed that it is investigating four cases of meningococcal meningitis/septicaemia reported in the last week of September; 3 cases are confirmed and one is possible. Three of the cases are reported to be caused by serogroup B. Sadly, two of the people affected have died.
The cases were reported from different regions of the country and have no known links with each other. Three of the cases are young adults and one case is less than 10 years of age.
Close contacts are being identified by public health and will be provided with antibiotics to prevent infection and will also be offered vaccine if appropriate.
Meningitis and septicaemia often happen together. Symptoms can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all.
Early symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Discomfort from bright light
- Diarrhoea
- Muscle pain
- Stomach cramps
- Fever with cold hands and feet
- A rash may appear (pin-prick type marks which if untreated can spread to form bruises or blood blisters). DO NOT WAIT FOR A RASH. If someone is ill and getting worse, get medical help immediately.
The HSE advises that if anyone has any concerns they should contact their GP in the first instance but ensure that medical expertise is sought quickly.
You can find more information here. https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/media/pressrel/hse-issues-public-health-advice-following-bacterial-meningitis-notifications.html
Free on-line stress control Programme
HSE Health and Wellbeing are offering a free on-line stress control programme, beginning on Monday 17th October. This is an evidence-based programme that teaches you practical skills to deal with stress, recognise the signs of stress and how it affects our bodies and our thoughts. It also teaches skills to overcome panicky feelings and tips to getting a good night’s sleep. Simply visit www.stresscontrol.ie
Quit
The HSE is inviting people who smoke to take the 28-day no smoking challenge this October and join thousands of others who have already quit smoking in 2022. For free advice and support to quit smoking this October. Sign up here. https://quit.hse.ie/apps/startplan/startplansignup.aspx
World Mental Health Day Webinar: Making the Connections
This webinar will take place on Monday, 10th October at 12:30 and will include an overview of the new HSE’s Mental Health Literacy Campaign which is being launched on World Mental Health Day. The campaign helps people make the connection between common mental health difficulties like ongoing stress, sleep, anxiety or low mood that they or others in their life may be experiencing and highlights the different levels of support that can help.
An expert panel will host an open conservation on the topics covered in the new mental health literacy campaign, the HSE’s free resources and supports available on https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/ and those of the HSE’s partners.
You can register for this webinar here. https://ims.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_C_WWmk8fRwiGnvAHEti1zg?utm_source=HSE+-+Healthy+Ireland+Import+List&utm_campaign=5256fa8dc1-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_08_22_01_55_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b855b0ce29-5256fa8dc1-379583004
Public Health Information
For updated information and advice on Coronavirus, please go to: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/.
Clinical and professional guidance relating to COVID-19 is available on https://www.hpsc.ie/ where you’ll find up to date guidance for healthcare settings and non-clinical settings.
Please check here https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/covid-19-resources-and-translations/covid19-posters-and-resources/ for partner resources for COVID-19.
You can find translated resources here. https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/covid-19-resources-and-translations/translated-covid19-information/
You can find the COVID-19 A-Z information here https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/covid-19a-z/ from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
You can view the latest information on how Ireland is responding to cases of COVID-19 here. https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus/
Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub is available here. https://covid19ireland-geohive.hub.arcgis.com/
Contact Information:
HSE Partner Pack
DOWNLOADS
HSE Free Home STI Testing Partner Pack 2022 061022
https://hsestakeholder-newsroom.prgloo.com/resources/m1cxd-4ag9o-rqtf6-dlpey-82hu8
Time to Top-Up Partner Pack FINAL
https://hsestakeholder-newsroom.prgloo.com/resources/mslud-idf75-jhklj-gf57t-c74fg
Irish Samachar English News
Kindly click the link below to join WhatsApp group chat to get important news and breaking news from Irish Samachar.
Comments are closed.