Deyalsingh urges citizens to get flu vaccine

Vaccinations are being given on Tuesdays and Fridays.

At a press conference held last week at the Insect Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, Cunupia, Deyalsingh said cases of influenza were down last year.

This was due largely, he said, to about 100,000 flu vaccines being administered during the last flu season.

The flu season ended in May 2016.

The ministry’s flu vaccination drive has also gone into the fields starting at the Tunapuna Market last Friday.

Other areas targeted are the Chaguanas Market, Gulf City Mall, City Gate, and Harris Promenade.

Overseas visitors coming to Carnival 2017 are also advised to get flu shots before they arrive.

Having learnt from the 2015 experience when a number of persons died due to the H1N1influenza, Deyalsingh said, the ministry implemented “a much more robust vaccination” drive starting in October 2016.

“Because we have been so successful and because no one has died and there is no screaming headline of ‘Yet another death due to H1N1,’ he said, “the response to the vaccination drive is not what it should be.” To date about 22,000 people have been vaccinated.

The vaccines must be used by May 2017 because it will expire at that time. The new batch of vaccines for whatever new strain of flu comes around will be available in September for the new year.

The flu vaccine is given annually.

During October and November 2016, Deyalsingh said that the focus of the vaccination programme was on the vulnerable population that included pregnant women, the elderly, those suffering from chronic diseases and children.

“The vaccination drive is now open to everyone, regardless of age or health status,” he said adding “I want to go through this flu season with no deaths.”