Health professional vaccination rates for the flu in 2024 hit a seven-year low
In the latest Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) survey, it was revealed that the uptake of the flu vaccine among healthcare workers in Ireland has reached its lowest point in seven years.
The West and North West region reported the lowest uptake at 26 per cent, while the Midwest region had the highest at 58 per cent. The HSE Dublin and South East region reported a vaccine uptake of 57.2 per cent. University Hospital Waterford reported a seasonal influenza vaccine uptake of 72.8 per cent, the highest among the regions surveyed.
The decline in vaccine uptake among healthcare workers has been a significant concern since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020/2021, the flu vaccine uptake among healthcare workers peaked at 71 per cent, but has since dropped sharply.
The HPSC survey also highlighted that uptake was highest among medical and dental staff, and lowest among health and social care professionals. The proportion of healthcare workers in residential care settings who received the flu vaccine is 33 per cent, a sharp decline from 66.3 per cent in the 2021/2022 season.
The rise in influenza cases last winter represented an increase of 9,000 cases compared to the same period in the previous year. More than 23,000 cases were notified, and there were almost 200 deaths associated with flu during the last winter season.
The flu season in Ireland typically begins in October and ends in April, with the prevalence of the virus increasing around December and January. The Health Service Executive (HSE) offers free flu vaccines to individuals aged 60 or older, children aged between 2 and 17, healthcare workers, those who are pregnant, individuals living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, those who work with poultry, and those who have, live or care for a person with a health condition.
Despite the low uptake among healthcare workers, it is crucial that they receive the flu vaccine to protect themselves, their patients, and the wider community. The flu vaccine not only reduces the risk of catching and spreading the flu, but it also helps to prevent severe complications and hospitalisations.
The HPSC has called for increased efforts to promote the flu vaccine among healthcare workers and to address the factors contributing to the decline in uptake. By doing so, we can help to protect the health and wellbeing of our communities and reduce the burden on our healthcare services during the flu season.
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