Flu ‘a major public health issue’ warning
FLU is expected to start earlier this winter and affect more people than normal, experts have predicted.
Public Health Wales (PHW) has warned that it is 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.
Since March 2020 the Covid-19 lockdowns and international travel restrictions have disrupted the amount of respiratory viruses in circulation but as our lives are going back to normal, viruses are returning in higher numbers. This year Australia experienced a
flu season which was earlier than usual and saw the highest case levels in five years. It is possible that Wales and the rest of the UK will experience similar flu activity.
With Covid-19 also in circulation and the NHS facing added winter pressures PHW claim it is more important than ever that those who are eligible for a free flu or Covid-19 vaccine get vaccinated to help prevent them becoming seriously unwell and protect the NHS this winter.
Dr Christopher Johnson, consultant epidemiologist and interim head of PHW’s vaccinepreventable disease programme, said: “Flu can be serious, particularly for those who are older or have a health condition and are more vulnerable to complications as a result of the flu. It is well known that having a flu vaccine every year is one of the most effective ways to protect against flu.
Vaccination is particularly important for those who are older, pregnant, or have a health condition and are more vulnerable to complications as a result of the infections.