Influenza

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone who is eligible for flu vaccination to take up the offer without delay as it remains the best defence against seasonal flu. To date nearly 500,000 vaccines have been administered this season in Northern Ireland. However, the latest respiratory report shows that flu activity has increased across all groups and settings that are monitored. Confirmed cases rose from 988 to 1,227 while hospital admissions went from 264 to 346, highlighting how important it is for people who are eligible to get the free vaccine, particularly ahead of festive

Call comes as over 4,000 were hospitalised with flu last year This year’s winter vaccination campaign commences on Monday 6 October and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone that respiratory illnesses such as flu, COVID-19 and RSV can be serious, even for some healthy people. Last year 862 children and young people, and 3,158 people aged 18 and over, were hospitalised with influenza in Northern Ireland. Of those 2,922 were as an emergency hospital admission. Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, is urging everyone in the eligible groups to get ready for winter