(Trinidad Express) Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh continued his call for members of the public to get vaccinated against the influenza (flu) virus in light of the commencement of the 2021 flu season.
On Thursday Deyalsingh set the example when he rolled up his sleeve and had the flu vaccine administered to him by Director of Women’s Health, Dr Adesh Sirjusingh.
“We really need the population to take the flu shot. If too many persons need hospital care because of the flu, this can overwhelm the health system and the healthcare workers who are already dealing with COVID-19,” Deyalsingh said.
He noted that while there’s no vaccine for COVID-19, there is one for the flu.
Although the flu vaccine is free and available for everyone at health centres, Minister Deyalsingh urged persons in high risk groups, like himself, to get their flu vaccine early.
Persons in high-risk groups include:
Children aged 6 months to 5 years;
Adults 60 years of age and over;
Pregnant women;
Persons suffering from Non Communi-cable Diseases (e.g. Diabetes, Hyperten-sion, Heart Disease);
Persons with compromised immune systems (e.g. persons with Lupus, cancer patients);
Persons with chronic respiratory illnesses (e.g. Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease);
Members of the National Security Forces and Customs and Immigration Division; and Healthcare workers.
