Warning over 'significant' rise in flu cases among children

Dr Patrick Fitzpatrick, a consultant in emergency medicine who practises primarily in CHI at Temple Street, said most children seen by CHI teams on Monday had 'symptoms that vaccination can help prevent'.

Children's Health Ireland (CHI) has warned of a significant rise in flu cases in children over the past week, with 650 children attending CHI emergency departments and urgent care centres on Monday alone.

CHI says the majority of children who presented at its facilities in recent days displayed flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, and breathing difficulties.

The hospital group and the HSE are now urging parents and guardians to consider vaccinating their children against flu to reduce the risk of severe illness and to help ease the ongoing pressure on emergency departments.

Dr Patrick Fitzpatrick, a consultant in emergency medicine who practises primarily in CHI at Temple Street, said most children seen by CHI teams on Monday had "symptoms that vaccination can help prevent".

"It’s not too late to protect your family. We want to avoid any child becoming seriously unwell with an illness that can be prevented," he said.

CHI says the flu vaccine for all children aged two–17, which is delivered via nasal spray, can be accessed via participating GPs and pharmacies.

"Flu spreads quickly through households, schools, and creches. Not to mention, it can easily ruin Christmas for families," Dr Fitzpatrick said.

We strongly encourage parents and guardians to consider vaccination now to reduce the risk of severe illness and to help ease the growing pressure on our emergency departments.

Meanwhile, people living in Tralee and South Kerry have been advised to only attend the emergency department of University Hospital Kerry if the case is urgent amid a high level of attendances there.

The hospital says its emergency department is experiencing “very high levels of activity with long waiting times for some patients”.

As a result, the public are being asked to consider “all care options” before travelling to the emergency department including GPs, pharmacists and SouthDoc out-of-hours services, and injury units in Mallow or Bantry.