Health Minister DeSilva Gets a Flu Shot
Yesterday [Nov 4] the newly appointed Minister of Health Zane DeSilva hoped to ‘inject’ some momentum into a Department of Health campaign urging local residents to protect themselves against the flu as winter approaches.
Both the Minister and his Permanent Secretary, Kevin Monkman, rolled up their sleeves for their Ministry and underwent the vaccination. Minister DeSilva is pictured below:
Mr. Monkman takes his turn getting vaccinated:
“Nurse Carla Lowe was very gentle!“ said Minister De Silva. “It takes just a second and can spare you from serious complications of the flu – which is especially true for children and the elderly. All it takes is one person to cough or sneeze in your direction and you could be battling the virus for weeks, or, in serious cases, battling for your life.”
The Minister added “I am hoping my decision to get this vaccination may encourage others to consider doing the same now that we are officially into the flu season.”
The Ministerial injection was a bid to raise awareness to the Department of Health’s campaign to remind the public that seasonal influenza vaccination is important to reduce the risk of serious, complicating illness, as well as absence from school and work.
Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection which spreads from person to person via infected droplets from coughs and sneeze. For most people it is not generally a serious condition but is often very unpleasant and temporarily debilitating. For some, however, flu can be quite dangerous, even life-threatening, because it may increase the risk of developing serious complications such as pneumonia or respiratory failure.
Symptoms of flu develop two to four days after exposure and may remain mild. However, serious attacks may cause sudden onset of sore throat, and runny nose with high fever, headache, backache, muscle pains fatigue and general malaise.
Nursing Supervisor for the Ministry of Health & Family Services Laura-Lynn Jackson said “The influenza vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine that protects against influenza. Influenza illness can be serious for very young children, seniors and persons with chronic health problems which is why it is important to prevent its occurrence.”
“Side effects are usually mild and include soreness at the site of the injection and general malaise. With the increased uptake of the vaccine each year Bermuda has seen a decline in the incidence of influenza in the community.”
The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for all individuals over the age of 6 months. Individuals most vulnerable to the serious complications of influenza are children under 5 years, senior citizens (over age 65), pregnant women in their 3rd trimester and individuals of any age who have coexisting medical conditions such as diabetes, heart, lung, kidney or immune system problems.”
The influenza vaccine will be available from November 1st at Hamilton Health Centre, Monday to Friday, 8.30 – 11.30 am. The cost of the vaccine is $10.00 and free for persons over the age of 65 years.
Would rather have seen Ministers get drug tested….
I agree they make it mandatory in all the civil services so why not Ministers “lead by example”