Value of Vaccines
Full campaign on www.healthnews.ie
Q3 / 2020 © M E LITAS
IN THIS ISSUE
02 “In unvaccinated populations, in temperate climates, almost 90% of people have had chickenpox by adulthood.” Professor Karina Butler Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, RCPI
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“During the coronavirus pandemic, it is essential people dont forget about other vaccines!” Darragh O’Loughlin Secretary General, Irish Pharmacy Union
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“HPV causes one cancer per day in Ireland.” Dr Robert O’Connor Director of Research, Irish Cancer Society
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The best way to prevent outbreaks is by getting vaccinated on time Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective health interventions available, saving millions of people worldwide from illness, disability and death each year.
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believe that vaccines are the best gift we can give our children and, even better, the health service gives them to us for free. If my son’s first birthday hadn’t been on a Sunday, he would have had his 12-month vaccines on his birthday. You never know when they will be exposed to infections, so it is really important to get vaccinated as soon as they are due. In Ireland today, vaccines are offered to protect against 14 diseases: diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae (Hib) type b, hepatitis B, HPV infection, influenza, measles, meningococcal disease (types A, B, C, W & Y), mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumococcal, polio, rotavirus, rubella and tetanus. Vaccines protect the wider population The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a target uptake of 95% for childhood vaccines to protect everyone. We have reached the target uptake for some childhood vaccinations including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and hepatitis B vaccines; however, we have not reached the target for measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal, Hib and rotavirus vaccinations in Ireland. When the majority of us are vaccinated we protect our children and ourselves. We also protect those who can’t be vaccinated, either because they’re too young, or because they have a weakened immune system. There is a lot written on the internet about vaccines so sometimes it can be difficult to tell where to find accurate information. I would
recommend looking at sources accredited by the WHO, with the Vaccine Safely Net (VSN) logo. Communication with vaccine heroes You can also talk to a health professional like your GP, pharmacist or practice nurse who can answer your questions. We are asking everyone to be a vaccine hero, you can do this by: 1. Getting vaccinated on time and completing your vaccination schedule 2. Sharing the facts about vaccine preventable diseases and the importance of vaccines 3. Look for information from credible sources like www.immunisation.ie and speak to a trusted health professional.
Dr Lucy Jessop Director of Public Health, HSE National Immunisation Office
Check your eligibility for the flu vaccine It is important to remember that smallpox is the only vaccine-preventable disease that has been eradicated, so we need to keep vaccinating to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. As we approach flu season, I would encourage everyone eligible for the HSE flu vaccine programme to get vaccinated to protect themselves from flu. For the first time this year we are also offering the nasal flu vaccine to all children aged two to 12 years old. Both vaccine and administration are free for those eligible for the HSE programme. #KeepVaccinating
Read more at immunisation.ie
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Chickenpox: A ubiquitous,
but now preventable, infection
Professor Karina Butler Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, RCPI Consultant Paediatrician & Infectious Diseases Specialist, Children’s Health Ireland & UCD Clinical Professor of Paediatrics
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he Varicella-Zoster virus affects almost all of us in our lifetime but there are now vaccines that could prevent this. Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox (Varicella) and shingles (Zoster). Primary infection results in chickenpox. The virus then becomes dormant and can later reactivate to cause shingles. In unvaccinated populations, in temperate climates, almost 90% of people have had chickenpox by adulthood. Almost 80% of cases occur in children, mostly those one to five years old. Disease severity is greater in adults than children. Chickenpox is highly contagious and is transmitted by aerosol, droplet, and direct contact. Shingles is not as contagious as chickenpox, however a susceptible person who has direct contact with shingles can become infected and will develop chickenpox. The chickenpox rash appears 10-21 days after exposure. The pox evolves from flat pink spots that blister with clear, then cloudy, fluid and ultimately dry and crust. Symptoms include temperature up to 38.5ºC, occasionally higher, loss of appetite, headache, and malaise for two to three days. Complications as a result of chickenpox Complications, infectious and neurologic, although uncommon, can be serious with highest risk for infants, adults, pregnant women, smokers, and the immunocompromised. Bacterial infections can affect skin, bones, joints etc. Streptococcal necrotising fasciitis, a life-threatening gangrenous skin infection, is a rare complication. Any child with chickenpox with high temperature lasting more than two to three days, with new fever after initial improvement, with significant pain, or refusing to bear weight needs urgent evaluation.
ARE YOU CHICKENPOX AWARE?
Antiviral treatment Antiviral treatment is generally unnecessary for uncomplicated chickenpox in children. It can be considered for adolescents and adults because of risk for varicella pneumonia. The use of the varicella vaccine Varicella vaccine, a live attenuated vaccine (i.e weakened virus), was first licenced in 1984. The US introduced it for routine childhood immunisation in 1995. It is routinely recommended in many countries. Varicella vaccines are proved to be highly immunogenic, efficacious and safe. Vaccination can protect approximately 86-98% of children and 75% of adolescents and adults. Since introduction, in the US, varicella cases, hospitalisations, and deaths have decreased by more than 90%. Other countries also experienced significant decreases in chickenpox cases following vaccine introduction. Initial concern that vaccine use might result in more shingles has not been borne out. Recent evidence suggests that those vaccinated are less likely to develop shingles than those following natural infection. Some who are vaccinated may still get very mild chickenpox
with fewer or no blisters (they may have just red spots) and little or no fever. Who should not get the varicella vaccine? Varicella vaccine, as a live vaccine, should not be given to pregnant women. Pregnancy should be avoided for one month after getting it. Immunocompromsed patients and those on medication affecting the immune system or with family members with immunodeficiencies should check with their doctor about whether they should receive it. The current status of the varicella vaccine in Ireland The varicella vaccine is licensed and marketed for use in Ireland. It is recommended for susceptible individuals in specific risk groups (www.immunisation.ie). It is not yet part of the National primary immunisation programme for all children. Parents can request it from their GP, however the cost for the vaccine and its administration is borne by the parent. The feasibility of adding the chickenpox vaccine to the national programme is currently undergoing evaluation.
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Chickenpox can be unpleasant for your child, but there may be ways you can help them feel better. To find out more, visit chickenpoxaware.ie This is an MSD website with more information on chickenpox.
Red Oak North, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin D18 X5K7 Ireland
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Pharmacists urge free and accessible flu vaccinations for all As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and we head into flu season, we must recognise collective responsibility to provide immunity against flu to protect others.
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n the midst of the current coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever that all at-risk patients receive a flu vaccination. As the world waits with hope for a vaccine against COVID-19, it should be seen as everyone’s responsibility to build collective immunity against flu. The best way to do this is through widespread vaccination. Ireland performs well by EU comparisons but we still fall short of the target of 75% of people over the age of 65 availing of the vaccine. Making the vaccine free for everyone and improving its accessibility would send a powerful message about its importance to public health. Barriers to uptake of vaccines need to be addressed The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has strongly asserted that, for a universal vaccination programme to be successful, barriers to uptake must be identified and eliminated. For example, access to the vaccine must be made as simple as possible and it should be universally State-funded. The IPU has written to the Minister for Health, calling on Government to make Ireland the first country in Europe to provide free flu vaccination
for everyone over the age of six months. While we welcomed the recent Government decision to make the flu vaccine available for free to all children aged 2-12 and all at risk groups, we will continue to advocate to extend further. Offering flu vaccine in community setting We can increase vaccination levels by offering it to wider groups of people in a community setting. Offering the vaccine at residential services and workplaces would significantly increase uptake and help build a herd immunity. Reducing the strain on the health system The flu vaccine is the best defence against flu and Government needs to aim for seasonal flu prevention for the entire population. If we can prevent flu from overwhelming the health system during the winter, the savings will far exceed the cost of a properly funded universal vaccination policy. Community pharmacists have been at the forefront in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and will help in the battle against flu and coronavirus this winter. At present, we can’t stop coronavirus but, given the resources, we can try to stop the flu.
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Paid for by LloydsPharmacy
Pharmacy – at the heart of supporting communities
T Denis O’Driscoll Superintendent Pharmacist, LloydsPharmacy
his year, as the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic continues, our focus is on ensuring our patients have widespread access to the flu vaccination in a safe environment. With 90 locations throughout the country, we, at LloydsPharmacy, understand the importance pharmacies play in helping to protect our communities and loved ones during flu season. We have been working with our highly trained teams to extend our flu vaccination service to 89 of our pharmacies. Extending the service allows us to help keep our patients, communities and loved ones safe during this flu season. We must protect those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, such as anyone aged 65 and over, pregnant women, children and adults with underlying health conditions, and children and adults with weakened immune systems. Practical tips for receiving your flu vaccine An important part of this service is ensuring the
vaccination is provided in a safe environment. With this in mind we are asking patients to follow a few key steps. Reschedule your appointment if you aren’t feeling well; attend your appointment alone where possible; wear appropriate clothing, i.e. loose fitting, short sleeved tops; and finally, use hand sanitiser and wear a face covering. The service is only available by appointment booking and we are asking patients to ensure they arrive on time. Please don’t take offence if you arrive too early and are asked to return closer to your appointed time, or, if you arrive late, that we ask you to reschedule. These steps are in place to ensure both patients and colleagues remain safe throughout their appointment. All our colleagues in LloydsPharmacy are here to help keep our communities safe during this flu season. Call your local LloydsPharmacy today to book you appointment and for store contact details visit www.LloydsPharmacy.ie
BOOK YOUR FLU VACCINATION TODAY! You may be entitled to receive it for FREE* *Ask in store for details
Darragh O’Loughlin Secretary General, Irish Pharmacy Union
Remember, the normal process is to remain in the vicinity for 15 minutes (while maintaining social distance) as a precaution in the unlikely event that you experience any aftereffects from the vaccine.
Pop in to or call your nearest store. lloydspharmacy.ie
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in the ongoing battle against serious childhood diseases.
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