HEALTH professionals across Wales are urging the public to protect themselves against flu as soon as possible, as the country is seeing the first influenza cases being reported.

It is unlikely that the virus is circulating widely yet, however 17 cases have so far been confirmed compared to six at the same time last year.

A recent report published by the Office of Nationa Statistics (ONS) has added to the concern, which revealed that ‘excess’ deaths made up a quarter of all winter deaths in Wales last year.

This is more than double than the previous year (2,600 in 2014/15 compared to 1,010 in 2013/14).

Most deaths were among older people, but all ages were affected.

Worryingly, flu has been identified as a major contributory cause of these deaths, yet fewer people have taken up their free NHS flu vaccination, with just 59% of people aged 65 years and older and 39% of younger people with risk factors for flu vaccinated. Uptake in both these groups is lower than at this time last year.

Dr Richard Roberts, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at Public Health Wales, says: “Statistics available so far this year are concerning – we have seen more cases of confirmed flu, but fewer people taking up the vaccine. This is a very worrying combination.

“Having the flu vaccination remains the best protection against flu, and I am strongly and very seriously urging all those who are in key health risk groups to get it now, if they haven’t already done so.

“Most years the vaccine gives protection against three different types of flu virus and we have already identified these three types of flu in Wales this autumn.

“Currently we have only seen low levels of flu and numbers of cases usually increase between now and Christmas, so there is still time to get your vaccine.”

Flu can have serious complications for some people, which includes those aged 65 and over, pregnant women and those with long term medical conditions.

These groups are at a higher risk of becoming very ill with flu than the general population – that’s why the vaccine is available free on the NHS for all those most vulnerable groups.

Flu vaccination remains the single best way to protect against flu, and can be given to those in risk groups from 6 months of age.

Angharad Phillips, Age Cymru’s Spread the Warmth co-ordinator, has a similar message to those who have not yet had their free jab:

“This shocking rise in winter deaths among older people – the highest this century, sends a clear message to us all about the importance of looking after our health during the cold winter months.    

“The predominant flu strain last winter was one that had affected older people more seriously than other age groups which clearly contributed to this huge increase in winter deaths we saw among over 65s.”

“The fact remains that the winter flu jab is still the most effective protection against seasonal flu that is available.”

All children aged two and three years old on 31st August this year and children in reception class, year one and year two in school are also being offered protection with a nasal spray flu vaccine.

The two and three year olds will have their nasal spray vaccine at their GP surgery and children in reception class, year one and year two will be offered the their nasal spray vaccine at school.

Moe information about how to get the vaccine can be found at www.beatflu.org or www.curwchffliw.org or finding Beat Flu or Curwch Ffliw on social media.