Press release
Interim CMO calls on public to ensure your loved ones are protected this Christmas by getting vaccinated
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
The interim Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Professor Mary Horgan is today urging people to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 in order to protect themselves and their loved ones this Christmas.
Data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) shows an upward trend of flu cases, with high levels of influenza activity expected between Christmas and New Year.
Professor Horgan said:
“At Christmas, we all look forward to spending time with family and meeting with loved ones. Spending time with family and friends is so positive for our overall wellbeing, and it is particularly wonderful to see grandparents spending time with grandchildren.
“Winter is also the time, unfortunately, when winter viruses like flu and COVID-19 circulate, and these illnesses can make people very ill, particularly those who are more vulnerable to severe infection.
“Thankfully there is much that we can do to protect those we will be meeting at Christmas.
“We should all follow good respiratory etiquette such as coughing or sneezing into our elbow, staying at home when sick and ventilating spaces. Most importantly we are lucky to have very effective vaccines which are a crucial tool to help us to stay well during Winter. Vaccination is the best available protection against the serious complications of flu and COVID-19. When more people are vaccinated, we can better prevent the spread of viruses to those who are more vulnerable to severe infection, such as the very young, older people and those who are immunocompromised.
“While it is very encouraging to see that the number of people vaccinated has now passed 1.5 million, we can and must do better.
“I would particularly encourage parents of children aged 2-17 years to ensure that their children receive the free nasal spray vaccination against flu to protect them and their grandparents or other vulnerable family and friends this Christmas.
“I’m concerned that flu and COVID-19 vaccine uptake levels are not high enough so I’m urging people to make an appointment with their GP or Pharmacy today to ensure that they are protected before the Christmas break. This will ensure we can mingle safely over Christmas and ultimately help reduce illness and avoid hospitalisations among those we love.
“New strains of these viruses circulate every year and immunity wanes over time, so even if you have received your flu and COVID-19 vaccines in previous years, you should still get vaccinated this year.
“We are already seeing the impact of the RSV immunisation which began on 1 September 2024. In those infants who are eligible for the RSV immunisation, we have been notified of just 23 cases of RSV this year, compared to 496 for the same period last year, with just 13 hospitalisations down from 316. Most importantly just 3 ICU admissions have so far resulted from RSV in those infants eligible for the programme, compared to 50 for the same period in 2023.”
Notified influenza cases increased by 67% to 277 cases in week 48 (from 166 in week 47). The incidence of flu are highest in those aged 1- 4 years, followed by those aged 80+ years. 73 cases were hospitalised in week 48, compared to 42 in week 47.
COVID-19 and flu vaccines are available from participating GPs and pharmacies and are also available to healthcare workers at vaccination clinics in many workplaces. They are offered free of charge to recommended groups, including those aged 60 and over, healthcare workers, anyone who is pregnant and people with a long-term health condition. Children aged 2-17 years can receive a free nasal spray flu vaccine.
Uptake of the nasal spray flu vaccine for children is currently at just under 16%. Among adults aged over 60 years, the uptake rate for the flu vaccine is 58.8%, while uptake of the COVID-19 booster is highest in the over 80s at 56%.
To find out what vaccines are recommended for you, go to: Screenings and vaccinations - HSE.ie.
Visit the HSE website for a list of participating pharmacies and GPs.
You can get a free flu vaccine if you are:
You can get a free COVID-19 booster dose if you are:
Those aged six months to 59 years who are healthy can, following discussion of their reasons with a health care provider (for example: GP, pharmacist or HSE vaccinator), request vaccination.