Swine flu update: Pharmacists urged to get swine flu vaccine

Pharmacists around Ireland should get the swine flu vaccine as soon as possible, the head of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) said yesterday (December 1).
Dr Ambrose McLoughlin, Registrar and CEO of the PSI, urged pharmacists and their staff to avail of the vaccine immediately. “Clearly, as health practitioners at the front line, they are more likely to come into contact with people who have the flu.
Precautions should be taken to ensure pharmacists protect themselves and also avoid passing the flu on to vulnerable patients, their colleagues or families,” he said.
The Society has informed pharmacists to contact their own GP in the first instance, as doctors involved in the first round of the scheme targeting at-risk groups have been advised to use remaining stocks to vaccinate the under-fives, those 65 and over and healthcare workers.
If their GP cannot facilitate them, pharmacists are encouraged to make an appointment to attend their local vaccine clinic, details of which are available on the website www.swineflu.ie.
-Dara Gantly