Flu is expected to start earlier this winter and affect more people than normal, experts have predicted. Public Health Wales (PHW) has warned that they are anticipating a significant flu season for the first time since the pandemic and have described it a "major public health issue".
The NHS trust is now urging anyone who is eligible for a free flu vaccine to take up the offer to protect themselves and others from serious illness. In addition the Covid-19 autumn booster programme is now live and everyone over 50 years old and those at risk of severe disease are among those being offered a jab to reduce their chances of getting deeply unwell.
PHW said cases of flu are already being detected in Wales. Scientists say that the flu season could be as severe as the 2017-18 flu outbreak where 16,500 thousand people in Wales were diagnosed by their GP and 2,500 people were hospitalised. There was also a high level of seasonal excess deaths that year – the worst for around 20 years.
