Vaccination urged as flu makes early appearance

HEALTH experts at Public Health Wales (PHW) say there is evidence that flu is circulating earlier than usual in Wales this year.

- ELLIE GOSLEY

The organisation is urging all eligible groups - particularly those aged 65 and over and residents in care homes - to get vaccinated as soon as possible as a result of this finding.

In an update, PHW said the latest surveillance data including data from GPs, hospital testing and confirmed outbreaks in different settings, shows that influenza activity is increasing and that the flu season has started earlier than usual.

The virus type currently circulating in the largest numbers causes higher levels of illness and outbreaks in care homes and older adults. However, there is also a strain circulating which can “affect younger age groups more severely, especially children, adults with clinical risks and pregnant women,” the body added.

Influenza levels currently remain low, but case numbers are expected to rise over the coming weeks. The flu season usually begins around late November or early December, so this current activity is around a month earlier than in recent seasons.