The HSE have issued a message urging the public to make sure they get the flu vaccine.
In what will be a busy few months for doctors and hospital staff over the coming few months, the HSE say it’s more important than ever people particularly those aged over 65 and those with serious medical conditions get the vaccine.
The warning comes after the heath executive was put under immense pressure in 2016 with more and more people being admitted to hospital with the illness.
Although the public have grown concerned about possible side effects from the vaccine the HSE say the vaccine has a proven safe track record.
Last year over 1,000 people indirectly died as a result of the fatal strain of the flu virus that spread across Ireland.