The winter flu could be set to return. Photo: Bermix Studio

Will the flu be back this winter?

By Katie O’Keeffe

There was not one single case of flu reported in a lab last year, but health officials are warning that this will change for the upcoming winter.

Covid-19 lockdowns and social distancing in 2020 meant the virus did not have the chance to spread as it normally would. However this year officials are preparing for the worst.

The easing of restrictions has gradually seen the return of people waiting on trolleys with CUH seeing some of the highest waiting lists in the country.

Tuesday saw the highest number of patients on trolleys in one day since the start of the pandemic - 506. CUH had 46 people waiting on trolleys, the third highest in the country.

In a statement from the HSE, Dr Aparna Keegan, Specialist in Public Health Medicine and Flu Lead, HSE National Immunisation Office, said: “Flu is a serious illness. Although the severity of the flu season can vary, we know that people aged 65 and over are most likely to impacted and have an increased likelihood of severe illness, being admitted into hospital or dying from flu when compared to the general population. The flu vaccine is the best protection against flu this winter.”

Speaking to the Cork Independent, Blackpool-based GP and city councillor Dr John Sheehan said: “We’re not sure if it will be a bad year for flu; this year the question is whether people’s immunity to the flu or whether social distancing and hygiene measures used for Covid-19 will help.”

The HSE is asking people to come forward and get their free flu vaccine if it is recommended for them.

The flu vaccine will help protect those most at risk of serious illness from flu.

This year the free flu vaccine is recommended for you if you are in one of these groups:

Aged 65 and over, a health care worker, a child aged 2–17, at any stage of pregnancy, and people with certain medical conditions which put them at increased risk from the complications of flu.

In the statement, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, said: “As we emerge from the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is vital to remember that there are other viruses that can take an enormous toll upon the most at-risk in our society, as well as those working in our healthcare system.

“Flu is an unpleasant illness for the majority, but for some it is life-threatening, resulting in serious illness and hospitalisation. Regrettably, up to 500 people in Ireland die from this disease every year.”

“This is why it is so important that, if you are eligible to get a flu vaccine, you do so as soon as it is offered to you.”

“Last year we saw encouraging uptake among healthcare workers and my hope is that this trend will continue this year.”

The flu vaccine doesn’t protect against Covid-19. It is important to get both the flu vaccine and the Covid-19 vaccine. This is because flu and Covid-19 are caused by different viruses.