Reduction in number of people presenting to Emergency Departments with Influenza

The HSE has today reported updated influenza activity figures for the past week. While the number of recorded influenza cases has increased to 3,548, the number of patients presenting to emergency departments with influenza has decreased to 1,806, compared with 1,893 the previous week. Hospitalised influenza cases have also declined, falling from 815 to 692.

Speaking about the figures, Dr Colm Henry, HSE CCO, said;  ”We will continue to monitor patterns closely as we head into the festive period. There are a number of factors that may influence trends in the coming weeks, such as the natural increase in socialising and intergenerational mixing that occurs during the festive period.  Vaccination uptake remains important,  particularly among at‑risk groups. There is still time to get your flu vaccine and I would encourage all those eligible to avail of it. The best time to get vaccinated is now.”

Free flu vaccines are available now at participating GP clinics and pharmacies. For healthcare workers, free flu vaccines are available in staff vaccination clinics and in the community in GPs and Pharmacies.

For more information about the flu vaccine, including where to get it, visit www.hse.ie/flu.