Seasonal Vaccines

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting against certain diseases. The risks from having these diseases are far greater than the risk of any minor side effects from immunisation, it’s always better to try and prevent a disease than try and treat it,” states Fergus MacNamara, Chief Doctor at The Keogh Practice.

When you’re given a vaccine, your body responds by making antibodies, the same as if they had caught the disease but without getting sick. The body then produces antibodies to destroy the vaccine and these stay in the body and protect against the actual disease.

Our aim is to ensure that you are protected all year round. The Keogh Practice administers the Seasonal Flu Vaccine.

What is influenza (flu)?

Influenza is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Influenza affects people of all ages. Outbreaks of influenza occur almost every year, usually in winter. This is why it is also known as seasonal flu.

Who should be vaccinated?

Vaccination is strongly recommended for:

persons 65 and over,
long-term medical condition such as diabetes, heart or lung disease
people whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment
residents of nursing homes and other long stay institutions
persons with a body mass index (BMI) over 40
pregnant women.(can be given at any stage of pregnancy),
healthcare workers
carers
people with regular close contact with poultry, water fowl or pigs.

How does seasonal flu vaccine work?

the patients immune system produces antibodies to the flu virus. When someone who has been vaccinated comes into contact with the virus these antibodies attack the virus killing it before flu can establish itself