Dr Brendan O’Hare
A LOCAL doctor who cheated death is urging people to get the flu vaccine this winter as fears grow that an epidemic could strike our crippling heath service.
Almost 30 years ago, Dr Brendan O’Hare had his own close call with death after contracting Encephalitis after a bad dose of flu. The condition causes inflammation of the brain and Dr O’Hare’s experience has prompted him to become a strong advocate of the flu vaccine. He is now advising people to get it as soon as possible as fears grow that the deadly A(H3N2) flu strain that’s currently sweeping Australia could be headed our way.
While flu levels remain low for now GPs and pharmacists have called on at-risk groups to get the vaccine as the best protection available from the virus.
At-risk groups include those with long-term diseases, young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and patients who are undergoing cancer treatment.
“Flu is a serious condition and can land people in hospital or kill those who are more vulnerable. It’s preventable and the vaccine is effective in reducing the number of people who get it and the severity in those who are unfortunate enough to get it,” Dr O’Hare said.
His warning comes as under-pressures GPs in Fermanagh are urging patients to self-treat minor illnesses this winter.
Soaring patient lists have prompted doctors to issue an open letter to the public encouraging them to “deal with minor illnesses such as sore throats, coughs and colds with treatment at home.” The letter warns patients that an “increased workload and severe shortage of doctors” along with the “abject failure of local politicians” to address the crisis has “exacerbated an already critical situation”.
Dr O’Hare says doctors have been “left with no choice but to be honest with their patients on what lies ahead”.
“The problems in general practice have not gone away, and without a functioning devolved government they are getting worse,” he added.
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