The HSE reports that 44 children under the age of five have been hospitalised with flu in recent weeks.
The cases occur as flu rates rise nationwide. The HSE is urging vulnerable members of the population to get their flu vaccination for ample protection against the virus.
While RSV and Covid-19 cases are also on the rise this winter, experts have previously warned that flu is particularly damaging towards both the very young and very old in society. They are encouraging parents to register any children aged from 2-17 to get their nasal flu vaccine in participating pharmacies.
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There have been a total of 828 confirmed flu cases since the beginning of October, with about 10% of all cases occurring in children aged under five. Dr Greg Martin from the HPSC said that cases are being recorded earlier this year than in previous seasons.
He said: “If you look at the cases going up, and you look at hospitalization, which is creeping up in a way that is higher than the numbers we might have seen in previous years, it does look like it's what we call an early flu season.”
He also explained that younger people were shielded from influenza and RSV infections during lockdowns but that there has now been a clear resurgence of flu at a community level.
He added: "Younger people over the last few years would have been protected or hidden from the back from influenza and RSV and so there might be less natural immunity in younger people, than maybe the case in a typical year. This may be why are we seeing sort of an early flu season, and particularly severe RSV season."
However, an earlier flu season indicates that cases of flu and Covid-19 might not peak at the same time, putting less overall strain on the health system. The doctor also encouraged healthcare workers to get updated on vaccines ahead as hospitalisations for viral illnesses increase.
15 cases have occurred so far in babies less than one year old, leading to five hospitalisations. The flu vaccine itself is free for vulnerable people, while it costs €35 for adults aged 18-64 who are not in an “at risk” group for the disease.
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