More than 740 flu patients in hospital as pressure mounts

In Cork and Kerry three clinics will offer children free flu vaccines when accompanied by their parent or guardian on Monday. File picture: iStock

More than 740 people were in hospitals with the flu on Friday which the HSE warned is at the upper end of its flu-case predictions.

Overcrowding pressures are mounting in hospitals with 234 patients including seven children without a hospital bed, figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation also show.

HSE CEO Bernard Gloster said while hospitals have been working well up to now, they expect further pressures. There were 742 people in hospitals with flu alone.

“We expect pressure to continue over the coming days and we would urge the public to use alternative healthcare services for treatment such as GP, GP Out of Hours, injury units and pharmacies when appropriate,” he said.

“But if patients are very sick and in an emergency situation, they should of course come to their nearest Emergency Department.” 

In Cork and Kerry three clinics will offer children free flu vaccines when accompanied by their parent or guardian on Monday. Dr Rebecca Marshall, Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine said the vaccine is safe and effective.

"Flu is the dominant winter virus this year, with cases multiplying quickly in the community,” she warned on Friday.

It can cause serious illness and children are twice as likely to contract flu and remain infectious for longer when compared with adults. They are also at higher risk of severe illness, complications and hospitalisation.

She added young children are more likely than adults to be admitted to hospital with flu.

“Vaccinating children protects them and it also protects their siblings, parents, grandparents and those who are vulnerable,” she said. “I'd encourage people to come along to a clinic next Monday."

Symptoms of flu in children can include a high temperature, muscle pains, headache and extreme tiredness.

HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry also issued a national alert about the flu. “Right now flu is circulating widely in our communities,” he warned, and called for anyone in vulnerable groups to enquire about flu or covid-19 vaccines.

“It’s not too late to get vaccinated to protect you and the people around you,” he urged.

Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation show high numbers of people are already sick in every county with various illnesses.

University Hospital Limerick is the most overcrowded with 63 patients unable to get a bed. Other hospitals facing pressure including St Luke’s in Kilkenny with 18 patients without a bed, and the Mercy University Hospital in Cork with 11 patients without a bed.

There will be three children’s flu vaccine clinics running in Cork and Kerry at the following locations:

Cork:

St Mary's Campus, Gurranabraher, Cork, T23 V09X on Monday, December 30: 12:30pm-3:30pm 

Newtown Vaccination Centre, Newtown, Bantry, Co. Cork, P75 H304 on Monday, December 30: 10am-1pm 

Kerry:

Tralee Vaccination Hub, Borg Warner, Tralee, Co Kerry, V92 HT21 on Monday, December 30: 11:30am-3:30pm