Consultant microbiologist and director of infection control Dr Ivan Muscat recently explained that masks had been reintroduced in clinical areas of the General Hospital – with both staff and visitors being asked to wear them – amid attempts to mitigate the impact of a rise in winter illness driven by flu.
Picutred: The island’s consultant microbiologist, Dr Ivan Muscat.
Health protection nurse Emma Baker said: “Due to the rise in flu cases that we have seen both locally and nationally, I encourage eligible islanders to come along to our pop-ups for vaccination.
“It’s quick and easy and remains the best defence against flu and covid-19.
“While most people who get flu or Covid will have a mild illness, those in older age groups and with certain health conditions are at a higher risk of developing serious illness and being hospitalised.”
Pictured: Weekly flu-like-illness across influenza seasons. (Public Health)
She added: “Vaccination not only reduces your chances of the viruses, but it also makes any infection less unpleasant and reduces your infectability which means you won’t pass on the viruses at the same rate as you may do if you were unvaccinated.”
GET VACCINATED…
Pop-up clinic times and locations:
- Monday 13 January: St Clement Parish Hall, 09:00-13:00
- Tuesday 14 January: St Peter Parish Hall, 10:00-16:00
- Wednesday 15 January: Government of Jersey Union Street Office, 14:00-17:00
- Thursday 16 January: St Brelade Parish Hall, 10:00-17:00
- Friday 17 January: St Ouen Parish Hall and Government of Jersey Union Street Office, 10:00-16:00
Eligibility for the covid autumn booster and the flu vaccine:
- Aged 65+
- In a clinical risk group including pregnant women
- Health care workers
- Care home residents
Eligibility for the flu vaccine only:
- Islanders aged 50 to 64
- Islanders living with certain health conditions
- Children aged two to those in school Year 11
- Household contacts of those who are immunosuppressed
READ MORE…
FOCUS: Century of winter illnesses in Jersey revealed through records old and new