Media Launch 2019 ...................................................................30

OF THE 88TH NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Michael Creed TD Minister for Agriculture Food & The Marine and Anna May McHugh, NPA managing director with Gardai. The site management team, from left: PJ Lynam, Tom Kelly; Triona Connolly, John Moran and Sean Byrne.

Members of Carlow ploughing with Anna May McHugh on site at Ballintrane, Carlow Kate Byrne, with Kyle; Brian Rice, Carlow Farmers Hunt; Eileen Brennan, Carlow Farmers Hunt; Anna May McHugh, NPA managing director; Jodie Skelton with Max; Gillian Byrne, Antoinette Doran, Horse Sport Ireland; Jerry Tobin, Carlow Farmers Hunt; Ado Moran with Max and Niamh Tobin with Leo.

Anne-Marie Hopkins and Sophie Geoghegan, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Leonard Hovenden, Kverneland with World silver medalists John Whelan (Wexford) Reversible and Eamonn Treacy (Carlow) Conventional on site at Ballintrane, Carlow.

Carlow handler Sarah O'Neill with Teddy, a Charolais cross bullock, model Orla Shiel and NPA President James Sutton.

SEASONAL FLU VACCINE

Infl uenza (fl u) is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the fl u virus. Flu aff ects people of all ages, with outbreaks occurring almost every year. Flu symptoms come on suddenly with a fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue. This is diff erent from a cold which is a much less severe illness compared to fl u. A cold usually starts gradually with a sore throat and a blocked or runny nose. Symptoms of a cold are generally mild compared to fl u.

Flu is predictable. In some instances, fl u can be severe and can cause serious illness and death. Serious breathing complications can develop, including pneumonia and bronchitis, to which older people and those with certain chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible. Pregnant women may need hospital treatment and hundreds of people die from fl u each winter.

This year the seasonal (annual) fl u vaccine protects against four common virus strains. The fl u virus changes each year this is why a new fl u vaccine has to be given each year.

The best way to prevent fl u is to get the fl u vaccine. The vaccine is recommended for ● all those 65 years of age and over ● pregnant women ● those with long term medical conditions e.g. heart or lung disease ● all frontline healthcare workers including carers

Vaccination should ideally be undertaken in September or early October each year. Flu vaccines have been used for more than 60 years worldwide and are very safe. Flu vaccine contains killed or inactivated viruses and therefore cannot cause fl u. It does, however, take 10-14 days for the vaccine to start protecting you against fl u.

● The vaccine and consultation are free to those within the recommended groups who have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’. ● GPs and pharmacists charge a consultation fee for seasonal fl u vaccine to those who do not have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’.

More information is available from your GP, Public Health Nurse or pharmacist.

www.hse.ie/fl u provides details about fl u vaccination, along with answers to any questions you may have about fl u.

Pneumococcal vaccine

If you are over 65 or have a long term medical condition you should also ask your doctor about the pneumococcal vaccine which protects against pneumonia, if you have not previously received it. You can get the fl u vaccine at the same time as the pneumococcal vaccine.