What is Influenza?
Influenza can be a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Anyone can get sick from the Influenza virus.
The Influenza season runs from October 2023 to May 2024 in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to encourage all eligible persons to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
It is underscored at this time that persons belonging to high-risk groups may be prone to develop a more severe illness if they contract the Influenza.
Persons in this high-risk group include:
- Children aged 6 months to 5 years.
- Adults 60 years of age and over.
- Pregnant women.
- Persons suffering from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) (e.g. Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Disease) regardless of their age.
- Persons with compromised immune systems (e.g. persons with Lupus, certain Cancer patients).
- Persons with chronic respiratory illnesses (e.g. Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
- Healthcare workers.
The Influenza vaccine is also available to members of the public at no cost,
at all Health Centres.
