THERE has been more flu about this winter than last year and it was particularly high during the beginning of January.

But many healthcare staff, who could pass it on to patients and the elderly, are not getting the flu vaccine.

It peaked in the 5-14 year age group at the end of December and then was highest in those aged 65 years and older.

Influenza B remains the dominant circulating influenza virus to date this season and it has accounted for 90pc of all positive specimens.

By mid-January five adults and two children with flu cases were admitted to critical care.

Residential care facilities, such as nursing homes,are high-risk environments for influenza outbreaks.

Residents share communal living arrangements, are often elderly, and have existing illnesses which put them at higher risk. Numerous outbreaks have already been reported among the elderly in residential care units.

Staff working in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities should get the flu vaccine to prevent the spread of the virus.

A survey carried out in December of one-in-five hospitals found the vaccine uptake among staff was as low as 16pc.

The uptake varied by staff category with the highest uptake reported among general support staff (23pc) and lowest among nursing staff (9pc).

It has been shown that up to 25 pc of health staff can contract flu in any given season with many being asymptomatic.

Hence, simply "staying home from work" is an insufficient strategy for preventing spread to others, warned the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

Urgent efforts are needed to improve uptake and to identify reasons for non-vaccination of staff, said the watchdog.

Vaccination is the single most effective way of protecting against flu. It reduces the risk of getting the virus and even if infected the infection is likely to be milder.

The vaccine is less effective in older people. Also there are years when the circulating viruses are not matched by the vaccine and it works less effectively.

Individuals in high risk groups (chronic medical conditions, pregnant women and healthcare workers and carers of those at increased risk) should also be vaccinated as soon as possible if not already vaccinated.

Health facilities need to prepare in advance of the influenza season and ensure that in the event of an outbreak they have access to adequate stocks of swabs, antiviral medication etc as outlined in guidelines.

Irish Independent