Doctors urge people to get flu vaccine so 'highly virulent' strain doesn't ruin Christmas

'There has been an earlier start to the influenza season and we are concerned at the risk this presents to those susceptible to more severe disease.'

Doctors are advising the public to get vaccinated now so the flu doesn’t ruin Christmas, as hospitalisations double in just a week. 

As concern grows at the prospect of a very difficult winter ahead, the HSE and GPs have now called on the public to consider vaccination against the flu.

HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said: “We are seeing a rapid increase of cases of patients with influenza, including those needing hospitalisation.

“There has been an earlier start to the influenza season and we are concerned at the risk this presents to those susceptible to more severe disease.” 

The numbers indicate health services will face significant pressures this winter, he added.

“Four hundred and eighteen cases were reported in hospitals the week ending 29 November compared to just 213 the week before,” he said.

He called on healthcare workers and people in at-risk groups to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

“The flu vaccine takes two weeks to become fully effective,” Dr Henry said. 

“Therefore, the best time to get vaccinated is now, before rates of infection peak over the busy holiday period.” 

The Irish College of GPs also warned very young babies and older people with weak immune systems were most at risk.

“We are seeing the winter flu outbreak several weeks earlier this year, which means that the peak will coincide with the Christmas and New Year holidays,” said Dr Scott Walkin, the college’s antimicrobial resistance and infection control clinical lead.

A new strain of flu, H3N2 subclade K, being seen now in Ireland is “highly virulent” he added.

“H3 flu tends to be more severe than other types,” he said.

“Already, even though the season is just starting, seven people have died, and admissions to hospitals have increased by 50% between week 46 and week 47.” 

He echoed the call to get vaccinated, saying it provided good protection against getting severely ill.

“The vaccine is effective within two weeks of getting it, so it’s really important to get the vaccine now to ensure it doesn’t ruin your Christmas or someone else’s,” he said.

The flu vaccine is available from GPs and pharmacies. It is free for older people, children over two, healthcare workers, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups.