THE SURVEY OF 1,602 RESPONDENTS FOUND THAT 77% RECEIVED THE FLU VACCINE IN 2020 –
12% OF THOSE FOR THE FIRST TIME
- 77% of respondents opted to take a flu vaccine in 2020 with 12% of those receiving the vaccine for the first time.
- High uptake of the flu vaccine in 2020 due to COVID-19 looks to be replicated this year with 83% of respondents saying that they intend to get vaccinated this winter.
- The HSE advises that all people with moderate to severe asthma should ensure that they get their vaccine.
- 50% of those surveyed intend to speak with their GP or respiratory specialist for further information about the flu vaccine and staying well this flu season.
OCTOBER 2021 – Results of a recently conducted Asthma Society survey revealed that 77% of respondents availed of the flu vaccine in 2020 with 12% of those receiving the vaccine for the first time. The high uptake of the flu vaccine seen in 2020 due to the threat of COVID-19 looks likely to be replicated this year with 83% of respondents saying that they intend to get the flu vaccine this winter.
The survey, conducted this month amongst 1,602 people with asthma and their carers by the Asthma Society of Ireland, was supported by Sanofi and aims to highlight the importance of protecting yourself and your loved ones with asthma from flu this year. The HSE advises that all people with moderate to severe asthma should ensure that they get their vaccine.
Of those surveyed, 9% have been diagnosed with severe asthma with 29% and 28% with moderate and mild asthma respectively. A large majority said they would get a flu vaccine as they are very concerned about protecting themselves (74%) and family members (35%) against contracting flu this winter. 40% of respondents said they would vaccinate to avoid prompting an asthma attack.
FIVE FACTS ABOUT THE FLU VACCINE AND ASTHMA
1. Flu can be an asthma trigger – it can cause your symptoms to flare.
2. People with moderate to severe asthma are at higher risk of flu-related complications.
3. You can lower your risk of flu infection by getting vaccinated every year.
4. The flu vaccine helps your body to produce proteins that fight infection. The flu vaccine starts to work within 2 weeks.
5. If you have moderate to severe asthma, you can get the flu vaccine for FREE. Check HSE.ie to find out where to get your FREE flu vaccine.
Sarah O’Connor, CEO of the Asthma Society is encouraging those with asthma or with family members with asthma to get the flu vaccine saying, “It’s great to see such a positive response to vaccine uptake. It is so important to take extra precautions this time of year, and we know that colds and flu, along with respiratory infections, can be triggers for many people with asthma.
While it’s impossible to completely rule out the possibility of catching a virus, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself from the flu and reduce your risk of getting sick.
Make sure your asthma is well under control before the flu season begins. It is heartening that 50% of those surveyed intend to speak with their GP or respiratory specialist this year. We would encourage all asthma patients to speak to your doctor or asthma nurse specialist about getting the flu vaccine. You can also contact our free Asthma Adviceline on 1800 44 54 64 and WhatsApp messaging services on 086 059 0132 where our nurses are available to answer any questions that you may have.”
Dr Dermot Nolan, GP, former ICGP National Clinical Lead on Asthma and member of the Asthma Society Medical Advisory Group says, “As we enter into flu season there are several things you can do to help minimise your chances of being infected with the flu virus or, if you do catch the virus, stop it spreading to others around you.
The same precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 can be applied with flu. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw away the tissue and thoroughly wash your hands afterwards. Try to avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose, especially after coming into contact with an ill person. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water or using hand sanitiser can also minimise the spread as well as regularly cleaning hard surfaces such as your phone, keyboard and door handles.”
Speaking about her own experiences with asthma, Rachel Murray, Severe Asthma Patient and Asthma Advocate encourages others to get the flu vaccine this year saying, “Getting sick with flu can be extremely debilitating and can cause your asthma symptoms to flare. People with moderate to severe asthma are at a higher risk of flu-related complications, but can protect themselves by booking in for their free flu vaccination which helps your body produce proteins to fight infection and keep you well this winter.”
For further information, or if you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine, talk to your GP. You can also free call the Asthma Adviceline on 1800 44 54 64 or send a WhatsApp message to 086 059 0132 to speak to one of our asthma nurses in complete confidence.
For a detailed list of the groups at risk and more information on the flu vaccine, visit www.immunisation.ie.
For more information on the Asthma Society and the patient support services available, visit www.asthma.ie.
ENDS
For media queries, or interviews with Asthma Society CEO Sarah O’Connor, Dr Dermot Nolan or patient advocate Rachel Murray please contact:
- Andrea Woods, Etch Communications on andrea@etchcomms.ie / 087 756 6195
- Laura Greer, Etch Communications on laura@etchcomms.ie / 086 960 5600
About the Asthma Society of Ireland:
The Asthma Society of Ireland’s mission is to stop asthma deaths in Ireland. We are the voice of the 380,000 people with asthma in Ireland, and our work radically transforms their quality of life. We fight asthma with every breath. Our vision is that everyone with asthma in Ireland lives a full life, symptom-free.
1. We champion change by advocating to prevent asthma deaths.
2. We communicate about asthma to ensure it is taken seriously as a health challenge.
3. We support services for all people with asthma, empowering them to control the condition and providing health promotion programmes that deliver impactful asthma interventions.
4. We learn together and collaborate with healthcare, research and education professionals (and always with patients) to improve our understanding of how asthma works and how to combat it.
5. We build our capacity to deliver for patients by growing and diversifying our funding streams, innovating and being best-in-class as a charity.
About the Asthma Adviceline
The Asthma Adviceline is available on 1800 44 54 64.
The Adviceline is proven to have a positive impact on the health of people with asthma, with appointments tailored to the needs of each caller. The Adviceline respiratory specialist nurses work through every aspect of life with asthma: what to do in the event of an asthma attack, answering questions after a GP or consultant appointment, dealing with triggers that may be bringing on asthma symptoms, and helping users put together an Asthma Action Plan to self-manage their condition. After speaking to one of the Adviceline nurses, users will be fully equipped with the information and skills they need to improve their health and stay as well as possible.
Callers can book a free call back appointment by calling the freephone number between 09:00 and 17:00 Monday to Friday. The Asthma Society then arranges a nurse appointment at a time that suits the patient.
In 2019, the Asthma Adviceline was awarded an independent quality mark by the Helplines Partnership, one of only three helplines in Ireland to have achieved this standard.
About the Asthma WhatsApp Messaging Service
We also offer a Sláintecare funded Asthma WhatsApp text service, which allows patients with asthma, and their family and carers, to text 086 059 0132 for real-time one to one communications with an asthma nurse about all aspects of their disease management.
About Asthma
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of varying severity that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry the air in and out of the lungs. People with asthma have airways that are extra sensitive to substances (or triggers), which irritate them. Common triggers include cold and flu, cigarette smoke, exercise and allergic responses to pollen, furry or feathery animals or house-dust mites.
When the airways come into contact with an asthma trigger, the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten so that the airways become narrower. The lining of the airways swells and produces sticky mucus. As the airways narrow, it becomes difficult for the air to move in and out. That is why people with asthma wheeze and find breathing difficult.
Whilst there is no cure, asthma can be controlled by avoiding triggers and by the use of ‘reliever’ and ‘controller’ medication. Relievers are medicines that people with asthma take immediately when asthma symptoms appear. Controllers help calm the airways and stop them from being so sensitive. Talk to your GP or asthma nurse about which treatment is most suitable for you. All patients with asthma are also advised to have a tailored Asthma Action Plan, a crucial part of patient self-management, which helps patients control their asthma.
