There were 238 deaths relating to influenza over this winter period, new figures show, as prevalence of the virus returns to “baseline” levels.
Latest data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) show flu activity has decreased across all indicators in the week ending February 21st.
The surge of the winter respiratory virus peaked over the Christmas weeks at the end of last year, and has been on an overall downward trajectory since the start of 2026.
Emergency Department presentations decreased by 62 per cent, from 175 to 66, while hospitalisations were stable.
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There have been 182 intensive care admissions and 238 deaths reported for this season to date, the HPSC said. Of those who died, the vast majority (218) were in those aged 65 or older.
There were seven outbreaks of the virus in the week ending February 21st, four of which were in hospitals, with two being in residential institutions and the final one being in a nursing home.
In terms of other respiratory illnesses, Covid-19 was at low levels and has decreased in recent weeks to just 95 notified cases in the week ending February 1st.
There have been 25 intensive care admissions relating to Covid-19 and 86 deaths reported for this season to date.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also decreased and remained at low levels, with the highest number of cases among those aged under one year.
RSV cases decreased by 27 per cent, from 452 cases to 332 cases, and emergency department presentations decreased by 29 per cent from 173 to 123.
There have been 72 intensive care admissions and 28 deaths reported for the season to date.
The uptake of the flu vaccine this winter increased in most eligible cohorts when compared to the same period last year.
Children aged two to 17 are eligible for a free nasal flu vaccine, and 24.5 per cent of young people in this category received it this winter, up from the 20.3 per cent the previous year. However, it is still below the target of 50 per cent.
Adults aged 60 and older saw a significant uptick in the numbers receiving the jab, up from 62.8 per cent to 66.4 per cent. The target for this age group is 75 per cent.
Healthcare workers, who have seen a significant decline in uptake rates in recent years, also had a higher rate this year. Some 34.5 per cent received the jab, up from 31.2 per cent.
Fair Deal residents had the highest uptake rate, but it was slightly lower than the winter of 2024. A total of 82.6 per cent of residents got the flu jab this past winter, down from 83.4 per cent the previous one.
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