Early increase in flu levels a reminder of the importance of vaccination

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone who is eligible for flu vaccination to take up the offer as it remains the best defence against seasonal flu.

The call comes as the PHA’s latest respiratory report shows influenza activity has increased across all surveillance indicators, but particularly among children. This increase is also earlier than has been seen in previous influenza seasons recently.

Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the PHA, said: “Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and others and we’re pleased that over 300,000 people have already come forward to take up the offer of the seasonal influenza vaccine.

"However, this year we are seeing activity earlier than has been the case over the past few years, and given that it usually takes about two weeks for a vaccine to become fully effective, we are encouraging eligible people to take up the offer without delay.

“We are also seeing a particular increase among children. Trust school nursing teams are currently delivering the flu vaccination programme to primary and secondary school children (up to year 12) and this is progressing well.  For those schools still to be covered, I urge parents to check school bags for flu vaccine consent forms, and sign and return them before the school nurses visit their child’s school to help maximise uptake.

“So far this season, 20.5% of pre-school children have received a vaccine via their GP practice, so if you have not already heard from your GP practice, contact them to find out what their vaccination arrangements are.

“Flu can develop into serious illness and result in hospitalisation, even for some otherwise healthy children. Last year 862 children and young people had a hospital admission with influenza in Northern Ireland. We must not underestimate the seriousness of seasonal flu.

“Vaccines are the best protection we have against these viruses so it’s important that all those who are eligible get vaccinated as soon as possible.

“We should also take common sense steps to reduce the spread of flu and other similar illnesses by exercising good respiratory and hand hygiene and staying away from others if we have symptoms.”

Respiratory hygiene

In addition to eligible people getting vaccinated, everyone has a part to play in staying well this winter:

• ‘Catch it. Bin it. Kill it’ – carry tissues and use them to catch coughs or sneezes, then bin the tissue;
• Wash your hands – regularly wash your hands throughout the day and hands should always be washed before eating or drinking and after using the toilet;
• Rest up – know when to stay home to stop the spread. If you have a high temperature stay home until you feel better or if you have diarrhoea and/or vomiting, you should stay home for at least 48 hours after the last episode;
• Speak to your pharmacist about over-the-counter remedies and remember antibiotics don't work on viruses.
  
   

Rachel concluded: So, if you are eligible for either the flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine or RSV vaccine, take up the offer to help protect yourself and those around you this winter.

Further details on the winter vaccination programme can be found at www.nidirect.gov.uk/wintervaccines

View information on the RSV vaccine for pregnant women at www.publichealth.hscni.net/RSV-pregnancy

View information on the RSV vaccine for adults at www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/your-guide-rsv-vaccine-older-adults