Vaccine urged as flu cases double in past week

With reported cases of flu-like illnesses doubling in the past week, those at risk are being urged to get vaccinated.

Yesterday, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre warned that flu was actively circulating.

It said flu rates had risen from 15.7 per 100,000 to 26.2 per 100,000 in the past week and were now above threshold levels.

Specialist in public health medicine, Dr Joan O’Donnell, said people at risk of flu complications need to get the vaccine now.

Those at risk include people with a long term illness, pregnant women, those with lower immunity due to disease or treatment and children or teenagers on aspirin therapy.

Dr O’Donnell said those in the at-risk categories who develop flu symptoms should contact their GP.

“As influenza is now circulating in the community, health professionals should use antiviral drugs for the treatment or prevention of influenza in high-risk groups,” she said.

Dr O’Donnell said the vaccine was available free of charge from GPs for those in the at-risk groups and from pharmacies for those aged 65 and over.

There may, however, be an administration charge applied to people who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card.

Flu rates that give an indication of virus activity are reported by selected GPs as part of a surveillance system run by the Irish College of General Practitioners, the National Virus Reference Laboratory and the HPSC.