The Chief Medical Officer is warning of a surge in cases of flu in the run-up to Christmas.
According to new figures from the HSE, the amount of people hospitalised with the flu has gone up 89 per cent in the last week. The worst affected were the elderly and those aged 5-14 years old.
As a result, Professor Breda Smith is encouraging all parents to bring their children to get the free nasal vaccine.
Cases of Covid 19 have also increased rapidly over the last three days, according to the HSE. Last week over 1,900 people were recorded to have the virus.
Despite Ireland being the no. 1 country for the uptake of the initial covid vaccines, we have fallen in the rankings when it comes to the second and third. We stand in 6th place for the uptake of the 1st booster and 5th for the 2nd.
Surprisingly, only 22 per cent of healthcare workers have received their 2nd booster shot, even though they are twice as likely to catch a virus like the flu or covid.
In a message posted on Twitter - Professor Breda Smith appealed to people to get vaccinated:
#flu and #COVID19 cases and hospitalisations have increased. Please come forward for your #fluvaccine and #CovidVaccines. Please stay home if you have any 'flu like symptoms. pic.twitter.com/ianCv4UGv6
— Chief Medical Officer (@CMOIreland) December 17, 2022
Vaccines for the flu and covid are available at a vast number of locations across the country.
There are 15 permanent Vaccination Centres as well as additional temporary sites & mobile facilities. If you do not want to go to a centre, 889 Pharmacies and 1,150 GPs are also offering vaccination services.
