Disappointing uptake of flu vaccine this winter, according to Master of Rotunda

Vivienne Clarke

The master of the Rotunda maternity hospital, Prof Sean Daly has spoken of the disappointing uptake of the flu vaccine this winter.

There had been three cases in the Rotunda, he told RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrne show that it was inevitable there would be cases coming into the hospital given the prevalence of the flu virus in society at present.

The disappointing uptake meant that the vaccine “probably” had not been as effective as flu vaccines in the past, he said. It could also be because of the current variant of influenza.

Prof Daly said he was an advocate for the flu vaccine and that every hospital was seeing an increase in flu cases.

Meanwhile a new RSV immunisation programme for newborns at the Rotunda has been a great success, he said with 80 percent uptake.

“As I understand it, the number of RSV cases that have required a high dependency care or intensive care has dropped dramatically. So it has been a huge success.”

The six month programme is due to end in February. “It's not a vaccination. I think that's very important to emphasise. It gives the babies protection for 150 days from the point of immunisation.”

The Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry is urging parents to have their children vaccinated against influenza as numbers are set to peak.

It is not too late, he told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland. The uptake of the vaccine had been disappointing this winter, he said.

Dr Henry also acknowledged that the current severe weather conditions will “disrupt” the flow of patients in hospitals and he encouraged people with flu symptoms to stay home, take paracetamol or ibuprofen, liquids and rest and not go to work.

Their first point of contact should be their GP, he said and practices will open for additional hours to respond to patients.