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.