‘Flu/COVID co-infection increasesdeath rate two fold so get jab: CMO

In a circular issued this week Dr. McBride said evidence suggested people co-infected with ‘flu and coronavirus suffered higher deaths rates than patients with just SARS-CoV-2.

“It is important that we take all necessary measures to help reduce the risk of concomitant circulation of Influenza and COVID-19 during the forthcoming winter.

“Early evidence suggests that co-infection is associated with increased mortality of over two fold compared to those with COVID-19 alone.

“This risk can be reduced by maximising the flu uptake rates in all eligible groups. The flu vaccination programme this year will therefore be more important than ever in ensuring the most vulnerable members of society and our health and social care workers are given the best protection against influenza.

“This will also help to protect the health service and enable it to respond to further waves of the pandemic should these occur over the winter months,” wrote Mr. McBride.

Vaccine procured by the Health and Social Care Board will be delivered to the north by the end of this month, Dr. McBride confirmed. Although the vaccination programme won’t officially start until October, deliveries are expected to be made to GP practices from mid September with the CMO encouraging vaccinations from that time.

“GPs should call all patients aged 65 and over and any eligible patients under 65 year olds for flu vaccine. All secondary care staff involved in the patient care of these individuals should actively encourage their patient at every contact to receive the flu vaccine.

“GPs should call all pregnant women for flu vaccine at any stage during pregnancy. All maternity staff, including midwives and obstetricians, should actively encourage pregnant women at every contact to receive the flu vaccine,” Dr. McBride stated.

Health staff should also get vaccinated while the HSCB is seeking the following vaccination rates: Over 65s (85%); Under 65s ‘at clinical risk’ (85%); pregnant women (85%); pre-school children aged two or over (95%); all children in primary school and year 8 in secondary school (95%).

“Based on vaccine availability and the uptake rates being achieved, the vaccination programme may also be extended from December to additional cohorts, such as all healthy 50 to 64 year olds, but further information setting out the specific details of this will be issued in due course. Healthy 50 to 64 year olds will not be eligible to receive the vaccine prior to any policy announcement,” he said.

The CMO concluded: “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all who worked hard to manage seasonal flu during the 2019/20 season. While it was a relatively mild flu season, events have now shown with the COVID-19 pandemic that it is vital that we do all we can to ensure the HSC is prepared for winter pressures and unexpected events. Morbidity and mortality attributed to flu is a key factor in HSC winter pressures and a major cause of harm to individuals.”