The health service is managing “very well” the wave of flu cases, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has said.
Flu cases are expected to peak around Christmas, with the HSE forecasting that there will be between 800 and 1,100 people hospitalised with the virus.
On Newstalk Breakfast, the Minister for Health described this year’s flu variant as “severe and difficult”.
She noted that Australia had endured a particularly difficult flu season and the Government prepared accordingly.
“We’ve had a vaccination programme rolling since September,” she said.
“Which is going better than last year and it’s making a difference.
“But there are 600 people in hospital this weekend with different respiratory viruses - overwhelmingly flu and a small amount of RSV.
“We have had a very good vaccination scheme on that, which has really changed the picture for very young children.”
Viruses can spread quickly. If you feel unwell, stay at home and visit our website for advice: https://t.co/GhbMnwCt8C pic.twitter.com/Dg5SaRUbe3
— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) December 21, 2025
Minister Carroll MacNeill urged everyone in Ireland to contact their local GP or pharmacy to get the flu vaccine.
Anyone over the age of 60, aged between two and 17, those who are pregnant, has certain health conditions or lives with a vulnerable individual is eligible for a free dose of the vaccine.
“Please do get vaccinated,” she said.
“Because actually the hospital system is managing very well and we can discuss the reasons for that.
“But people will be going back to work as well and back to school and back to everything in January.
“And, you know, there could be another hit or another wave of it there. So, get vaccinated if you can.”
Top-up your protection this winter with the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
See what vaccines are recommended for you: https://t.co/SZaED1vpXu
#FluVaccine | #COVIDVaccine pic.twitter.com/mwdzW7FLFg— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) December 21, 2025
Traditionally, media coverage of flu season in Ireland is dominated by headlines of hospital patients being treated on trolleys.
Yesterday, there were 91 people on trolleys in the 29 hospitals across Ireland.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha has criticised the staff levels at various hospitals, describing them as “always occupied to a level that is unsafe”.
Despite this, Minister Carroll MacNeill defended the Government’s record.
“In the flu season last year, when I started in this job, there were 617 people on trolleys the bank holiday Tuesday after, say, Bridget's weekend in February,” Minister Carroll MacNeill said.
“Last night, there were 91 - that is a completely different perspective from patient safety.”
Main image: A person getting a flu vaccine and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. Pictures by: Alamy and RollingNews.ie.
