Boosting Flu and RSV Vaccinations as Seasonal Illnesses Rise
Health authorities are implementing regional strategies to enhance vaccine uptake for flu (https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/flu/) and RSV (https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rsv/) among underserved communities and demographics that typically shy away from vaccination. This initiative comes as respiratory illnesses are on the rise across the country, according to recent data from the infectious disease watchdog.
The watchdog characterized the last flu season as "severe and prolonged," noting that it was "more intense" than previous years. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/health-protection-surveillance-centre/) (HPSC) reported 119 flu cases in the week ending October 18th, up from 88 the previous week. While there were 17 hospital admissions, none required intensive care, and only one fatality was recorded.
RSV, on the other hand, is currently at "low levels" but is increasing, with cases rising from 17 to 40 in the same week. Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer at the Health Service Executive (https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/hse/) (HSE), attributed last year's "very significant" flu season largely to the dominant variant, specifically AH1N1, which hadn't been seen since 2018 or 2019.
Dr. Henry emphasized that the severity of flu seasons is heavily influenced by the dominant variant. He noted, "We can't control the flu subtype or its transmission, but we can control vaccine uptake."
Efforts are underway to encourage vaccine uptake, particularly in "traditionally more hard-to-reach" areas. Public health teams are analyzing regional data to identify low-uptake areas and groups, focusing resources on these areas to maximize vaccine acceptance.
Dr. Henry acknowledged that it's "too early to say" if vaccination rates among healthcare workers have improved, as they recorded their lowest uptake in seven years last winter (https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2025/09/18/flu-vaccine-uptake-among-health-workers-inn-2024-lowest-in-seven-years/). However, he suggested that a change in advice could impact uptake, indicating that the flu vaccine is now recommended for this cohort, as opposed to workers being asked to get both flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr. Henry highlighted the positive rollout of the RSV vaccine to newborn babies in hospitals last year, achieving an 85% uptake rate. This year, the health service expanded the vaccine program to babies up to six months old as of September 1st.
Dr. Henry acknowledged that extending the vaccine program into the community is more challenging, as it's easier to administer vaccines in hospitals compared to asking individuals to return for a healthcare setting. The current uptake rate is 45%, which the HSE finds satisfactory, but they aim for higher rates. Dr. Henry hinted at potential additional vaccine opportunities in November.
