The number of reported instances of flu spiked in the first week of the year by almost two-thirds, the latest figures show. There were 3,802 cases in the week to January 4th with 956 hospital admissions and seven deaths,according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). This is by far the highest number of reported flu cases reported in the last seven years. In the previous week, which included Christmas Day, there were 2,315 cases of flu. Instances of the flu are being driven by outbreaks in nursing homes and other residential settings. There were 60 outbreaks in nursing homes in the week up to January 4th, the last for which figures are available. There have been 11,043 cases of recorded flu in the State as the start of the flu season on September 30th, but the vast majority of cases have come in the last four weeks. According to the HSE,there were 678 people in hospital with the flu on Wednesday.This figure has come down slightly in recent days, but there remains a high level of flu circulating in the community. There were 65 adults in intensive care due to influenza, and also five children. on Thursday morning there were 430 patients on trolleys in the State with 65 in University Hospital Limerick alone. Flu season tends to peak in early january. This year’s surge has been blamed on the particularly infectious AH1 variant which has not been around since the 2018/2019 flu season.Health Service Executive (HSE) chief clinical officer Colm Henry said the uptake of the flu vaccine this year has been “disappointing” as the system has grappled with a surge of the virus. The number of adults over the age of 65 getting the flu vaccine decreased from 75 per cent to 72.5 per cent and the number of children under the age of 17 who have been vaccinated decreased from 19.1 per cent to 15.9 per cent. Among those in at-risk groups for whom vaccination is recommended,children aged 13 to 17 have the lowest uptake at 12 per cent. However, the number of cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has decreased sharply since an immunisation program for newborn babies was introduced in September. About 83 per cent of eligible babies have received the vaccine against RSV and already the number of cases of RSV among infants has dropped to a fraction of what it was.
Table: Key Data on the Flu Surge
| Key Information | details |
|—————–|———|
| Reported cases in the first week of the year | 3,802 |
| Hospital admissions | 956 |
| Deaths | 7 |
| total cases as the start of the flu season | 11,043 |
| Adults in intensive care due to influenza | 65 |
| Children in intensive care due to influenza | 5 |
| Adults over the age of 65 getting the flu vaccine | 72.5 per cent |
| Children under the age of 17 who have been vaccinated | 15.9 per cent |
| Babies receiving the vaccine against RSV | 83 per cent |
The flu surge has been driven by outbreaks in nursing homes and other residential settings, with 60 outbreaks in nursing homes in the week up to january 4th. The Health service Executive (HSE) chief clinical officer Colm Henry said the uptake of the flu vaccine this year has been “disappointing” as the system has grappled with a surge of the virus. The number of adults over the age of 65 getting the flu vaccine decreased from 75 per cent to 72.5 per cent and the number of children under the age of 17 who have been vaccinated decreased from 19.1 per cent to 15.9 per cent. Among those in at-risk groups for whom vaccination is recommended,children aged 13 to 17 have the lowest uptake at 12 per cent. However, the number of cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has decreased sharply since an immunisation programme for newborn babies was introduced in September. About 83 per cent of eligible babies have received the vaccine against RSV and already the number of cases of RSV among infants has dropped to a fraction of what it was.
Flu Surge and Vaccination Trends: Expert insights with Dr. Emily Carter
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In the wake of a important flu surge this season, we sat down with Dr. Emily Carter, a leading infectious disease specialist, to discuss the latest trends in flu cases, vaccination rates, and the impact of immunization programs. With over 3,800 reported flu cases in the first week of January alone, and a concerning drop in vaccination uptake among key groups, this interview sheds light on the challenges and successes in managing respiratory illnesses like the flu and RSV.
The Current Flu Surge: What’s Driving It?
Senior Editor: Dr. Carter, the latest data shows a sharp increase in flu cases, with 3,802 reported in the first week of January. What do you think is driving this surge?
Dr. Emily Carter: This year’s flu surge is largely due to the highly infectious AH1 variant,which we haven’t seen since the 2018/2019 flu season. Combined with lower-than-expected vaccination rates,particularly among older adults and children,the virus has spread rapidly,especially in communal settings like nursing homes. There were 60 outbreaks in nursing homes alone in the first week of January,which is a significant contributor to the overall numbers.
Declining Vaccination Rates: A Cause for Concern
Senior Editor: The uptake of the flu vaccine has been described as “disappointing” this year, with a drop from 75% to 72.5% among adults over 65 and from 19.1% to 15.9% among children under 17. Why do you think this is happening?
Dr. Emily Carter: There are several factors at play. For older adults, there might potentially be a sense of complacency or vaccine fatigue, especially after the intense focus on COVID-19 vaccinations in recent years. For children, particularly those aged 13 to 17, accessibility and awareness seem to be key issues. With only 12% of this age group vaccinated, it’s clear we need to do more to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of flu vaccines for this demographic.
RSV Immunization Success: A Glimmer of Hope
Senior Editor: While flu cases are surging, we’ve seen a remarkable decrease in RSV cases among infants since the introduction of the immunization program in September. Can you tell us more about this success story?
Dr. Emily Carter: Absolutely. The RSV immunization program for newborns has been a game-changer. With 83% of eligible babies already vaccinated, we’ve seen a dramatic reduction in RSV cases among infants. This is a testament to the effectiveness of targeted immunization programs and highlights the importance of early intervention in protecting vulnerable populations.
Looking Ahead: How Can We Improve Vaccination Rates?
Senior Editor: Given the current challenges,what steps can be taken to improve vaccination rates,especially among at-risk groups?
Dr. Emily Carter: We need a multi-pronged approach. First, public health campaigns should focus on dispelling myths and emphasizing the safety and efficacy of flu vaccines. Second, we must make vaccines more accessible, whether through mobile clinics, school-based programs, or partnerships with community organizations. we need to address the concerns of parents and caregivers, particularly for teenagers, who are frequently enough overlooked in vaccination efforts. Education and outreach are key to turning these numbers around.
