THE IRISH Health Service Executive has urged people in Ireland to get the flu vaccine as the 'Aussie Flu' has caused a number of deaths.
In a statement, the Executive said the number of reported cases of flu had increased in the week before Christmas and that flu "is now actively circulating in Ireland."
The HSE is urging people, particularly those in high-risk groups, to make sure they are vaccinated, including people aged 65 and over; anyone with a chronic illness; all pregnant women as well as people in care homes or long stay facilities.
Director of the HSE's Health Protection Surveillance Centre Dr Kevin Kelleher said the executive has been informed of a "small number of deaths directly related to influenza" in the last two weeks.
Dr Kelleher said the number of those who died are less than ten.
He said it is not too late for people at risk to get the vaccine and prevention is better than cure.
The HSE said that Australian flu season has been dominated by influenza A (H3N2) co-circulating with influenza B, but that the H3N2 is similar to the strain which dominated last year’s flu season in Ireland.
This strain of flu was included in the vaccine, which has been available in Ireland since September, for this flu season.
