Health minister Mike Nesbitt urges the public to get a flu jab 'without delay'

Mike Nesbitt is urging anyone eligible for the flu vaccine to get it “without delay”, amid concern from health authorities about the rates of the virus in Northern Ireland this year and its impact on the health service.

Cases of the virus have more than tripled in the past fortnight, after an unusually early start to the flu season. Experts believe that it could be the worst flu season in a decade.

placeholder image — The Department of Health says flu-related admissions to NI's hospitals have nearly doubled in a week. Photo: David Cheskin/PA Wire

The health minister says it is not too late for people to get vaccinated to protect themselves over the Christmas period.

Mr Nesbitt told the News Letter: “I am extremely concerned that this flu has come particularly early and it has hit the Health and Social Care system hard. Positive flu cases have almost doubled to 954 in the last week, with 264 people now being treated in hospitals across Northern Ireland, showing how serious it can be.

“So my message is clear - the best defence against flu is the vaccine. It’s not too late.

“With Christmas coming up, 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; don’t let the flu ruin the festivities for you or those that matter to you.

“Please help us to help you. Protect yourself and others”.

Over 464,000 people have been vaccinated so far, according to the Public Health Agency (PHA) – but the minister and health officials are urging more people to take the vaccine to reduce pressure on the health service.

Health officials say that vaccination reduces the likelihood of serious illness in those who contract the virus – but those who do get flu should take steps to avoid spreading it to others, particularly the likes of vulnerable relatives.

It is advised that pregnant women, those who are aged 65 and over, those living in residential or nursing homes – and those with an illness or underlying health condition (including children from six months of age) – get vaccinated.

Children between 2 and 16 are also encouraged to get vaccinated, with young children are more at risk from the virus and more likely to need hospital treatment. For children it is generally administered via a spray, rather than an injection.

The principal of a County Londonderry school has compared the situation to the Covid pandemic, after 170 pupils were off sick on one day alone. Brian Guthrie of Ebrington Primary School told the BBC that some children had to attend hospital and a small number were admitted for treatment last week.

“It took me back to 2020, to be quite honest, the attendance was actually worse last week than it would have been at any of the worst points, if you like, back in Covid times so, yeah, it was a bit of a shock”, Mr Guthrie said.

Those eligible are encouraged to get vaccinated at their local health trust clinic, participating community pharmacies or their GP.

Dr Joanne McClean, director of public health at the Public Health Agency, has also given advice to anyone who contracts the virus.

She told the BBC’s Nolan Show: “If you can, stay away from other people. Exercise good respiratory hygiene – wash your hands, cover your face when you cough or sneeze. Ideally, use a tissue and dispose of it – put it in the bin.

“For schools and offices, remember ventilation. [If there are] lots of people in a room, some of them only mildly unwell, germs can spread. Keeping the window open, the air moving, that can reduce the spread”, she said.

The public health official said that evidence from England shows that the vaccine on offer is working on the strain of the virus circulating in the UK this year.

Dr McClean said: “For vulnerable people – go and get your vaccine”.

However, there have been questions about the fact that around 40 schools in Northern Ireland are yet to offer vaccines for pupils. The PHA says that most of the schools which haven’t yet offered a vaccine to pupils are in the Belfast Trust area.

The vaccine is being offered to all children from primary one to year 12 at secondary school, with parental consent. Dr McClean said that logistical issues with the roll out means that in a “small number” of schools, children will not have an opportunity to take the vaccine until January, but that it has been offered to the vast majority of Northern Ireland’s schools.