The latest data from Public Health Wales reveals the flu is circulating earlier than usual with a number of outbreaks confirmed in recent weeks<\/p>\n
Health experts at Public Health Wales (PHW) say there is evidence that flu<\/a> is circulating earlier than usual in Wales this year. The organisation is urging all eligible groups \u2013 particularly those aged 65 and over and residents in care homes \u2013 to get vaccinated as soon as possible <\/a>as a result of this finding.<\/p>\n In an update PHW said the latest surveillance data including data from GPs, hospital testing, and confirmed outbreaks in different settings showed influenza activity <\/a>is increasing and the flu season has started earlier than usual.<\/p>\n The virus type currently circulating in the largest numbers causes higher levels of illness and outbreaks in care homes and older adults. However there is also a strain circulating which can “affect affect younger age groups more severely, especially children, adults with clinical risks, and pregnant women”, the body added.<\/p>\n Influenza levels currently remain low but case numbers are expected to rise over the coming weeks. The flu season usually begins around late November or early December so this current activity is around a month earlier than in recent seasons.<\/p>\n Public Health Wales say flu can be serious \u2013 particularly for people with certain health conditions<\/a> because they are more vulnerable to serious complications if they get it.<\/p>\n The flu vaccine is offered every year to help protect those most at risk of serious illness.<\/p>\n It is especially important for older adults, health and social care workers, young children, and pregnant women as flu in pregnancy can have serious health impacts for both pregnant women and babies.<\/a><\/p>\n Nearly a million people in Wales get vaccinated every year.<\/a> Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Flu vaccination lowers the risk of infection, reduces the severity of illness, helps protect vulnerable groups from serious complications, and decreases the likelihood of spreading the illness to others.<\/p>\n Who can get a free NHS flu jab?<\/p>\n Children aged two and three (on August 31, 2025) are eligible and primary school<\/a> and secondary school children (reception to year 11) are also eligible for a flu vaccine. To help protect your child from serious illness give your consent for them to have their flu vaccine.<\/p>\n What is flu?<\/p>\n Flu is caused by a virus which is spread by coughs and sneezes. Symptoms of flu can be mild but can also lead to more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia (lung infections), which may need treatment in hospital.<\/p>\n Flu is very infectious and symptoms, such as high temperature, tiredness and weakness, headache, aches and pains, and a cough can come on very quickly.<\/p>\n Dr Christopher Johnson, head of the vaccine preventable disease programme (VPDP) at Public Health Wales, said: \u201cFlu is now circulating across Wales and we\u2019re seeing signs that this year\u2019s season has started earlier than usual.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough the flu season is starting earlier than we have seen in recent years there is still time to get your flu vaccine before we reach the peak of circulation. The flu vaccine is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against the three strains of flu that circulate each year.<\/p>\n \u201cWe see several flu virus types circulating each winter, which can affect people across different age-groups. Currently influenza A(H3) is the type of flu we are detecting in the largest numbers. Historically seasons where influenza A(H3) viruses have dominated have seen higher levels of illness and outbreaks in residential care homes and in older adults.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are also detecting smaller number of influenza A(H1), which can often affect younger age groups more severely, especially children, adults with clinical risks, and pregnant women.<\/p>\n \u201cMany people will also be eligible for other vaccinations that help prevent infections that are more common in the winter including Covid-19<\/a> and RSV. Together these vaccines provide the best protection against the viruses which put many people in hospital and place pressure on NHS<\/a> resources this winter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n