Interim CMO calls on people to get flu and covid vaccines
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Interim chief medical officer Mary Horgan has called on people to get flu and covid-19 vaccines, saying the uptake is concerningly low so far this year.
In contrast, uptake of the new RSV vaccine in newborns has been so successful that only 23 cases have been reported this winter for this group.
This compares with 496 for the same period last year, Professor Horgan said.
New data shows an upward trend in flu cases, with high levels of influenza expected between Christmas and New Year.
“I’m concerned flu and covid-19 vaccine uptake levels are not high enough so I’m urging people to make an appointment with their GP or pharmacy today to ensure that they are protected before the Christmas break,” she said.
She said spending time with family and friends is “so positive for our overall wellbeing” but at this time of year, illness is a risk.
She advised staying at home when sick and ventilating spaces as well as coughing or sneezing into elbows.
“Most importantly we are lucky to have very effective vaccines which are a crucial tool to help us to stay well during winter,” she said.
“While it is very encouraging to see that the number of people vaccinated has now passed 1.5m, we can and must do better.”
Prof Horgan called on parents of young children to arrange for them to have the free nasal spray vaccination against flu.
“We are already seeing the impact of the RSV immunisation which began on September 1, 2024,” she said.
“In those infants who are eligible for the RSV immunisation, we have been notified of just 23 cases of RSV this year, compared to 496 for the same period last year, with just 13 hospitalisations down from 316.”
She added that, “most importantly”, only three babies needed admission to intensive care units compared to 50 for the same time period last year.
The latest weekly flu data shows 277 cases, an increase of 67% on the week before.
Children aged under four were the most affected, followed by people aged over 80.
There were 73 people in hospital with flu compared to 42 the week before.
Just 16% of children however have had their flu vaccine so far. Among people aged over 60, the uptake is 58.8%.
Also for the covid-19 booster, the highest uptake is only 56% and this is among people aged over 80.