Health officials urge citizens to take flu vaccine too

3288839

Trinidad and Tobago has received its first shipment of 50,000 influenza vaccines courtesy the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and all health centres are expected to have those vaccines by today.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Roshan Parasram said while the shipment constitutes half of the order from this country, additional doses will be ordered as and when needed.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness affecting the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs.

Speaking during the Ministry of Health’s virtual media briefing yesterday, Parasram said, “It can cause mild to severe illness and at times, it can lead to death.”

Prior to COVID-19, this country recorded 40 flu deaths in 2019.

“Signs and symptoms are very much like COVID-19 and are very similar to the common cold as well,” the CMO warned.

They include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, headaches, fatigue, body aches, and vomiting and diarrhea in rare cases but which is more common in children.

It is spread just like COVID-19 via droplets when particles are inhaled after someone sneezes or an infected person touches a common surface such as doorknobs and desks.

During the flu season which runs from October 2021 to May 2022 – health officials will be targeting several groups for immunization including children between the ages of six months to five years; adults over 65; those above 60 suffering from Non-Communicable Diseases; pregnant women; those with compromised immune systems such as those with HIV/AIDS and Lupus; those with chronic respiratory illnesses including asthma and COPD; overweight and obese persons; healthcare workers and national security workers due to their exposure risk.

Urging persons to get vaccinated, the CMO said while the flu vaccine does not prevent you from becoming sick, it would help to reduce the severity of the virus if contracted.

“The measures we have put in place for COVID-19 are doing well to control both COVID-19 as well as the spread of the influenza virus,” Parasram said as he promised that all health centres would have received supplies by today and would be ready to begin inoculations.

Private physicians have been advised to contact their County Medical Office of Health (CMOH) to access vaccines for distribution to their patients.

For those currently receiving COVID-19 vaccines or who are still waiting to receive their second dose, they have been advised to wait two weeks before accessing the influenza vaccine.