Flu season hits hard, and it’s reshaping how schools and families cope. The headteacher of a County Londonderry primary school described the situation as reminiscent of Covid times after 170 pupils were out sick in just one day. At Ebrington Primary, principal Brian Guthrie noted that some children required hospital care, and a small number were admitted for treatment last week. Official data show flu cases among both adults and children in Northern Ireland have more than tripled over the past two weeks, climbing from 273 to 954.
Guthrie added that classroom assistants were also missing due to illness. He described a week where flu, stomach bugs, severe sore throats, and various other illnesses created a highly challenging environment, with attendance dropping well below normal. He compared the experience to the worst moments of 2020, saying the school’s absentee rates last week felt even tougher than the peak Covid period.
The high absence rate disrupted the ability to introduce new learning in literacy and numeracy. In the early part of the week, younger pupils bore the brunt, but by week’s end, absence among older students—particularly those in years 5 to 7—was more pronounced.
Experts warn that this could be the season’s most severe flu outbreak in a decade, with respiratory illnesses rising across winter. A Belfast-based pediatrician described it as the worst flu outbreak she has seen, and data from the Public Health Agency (PHA) show under-fives had the most confirmed flu cases in the week ending 30 November, while children aged 5–14 had the highest positivity rate at 54.2%, indicating those tested were more likely to have the virus.
Dr Joanne McClean, the PHA’s Director of Public Health, stressed that most children with flu do not require hospital admission, and vaccination reduces the likelihood of severe illness needing hospital care by roughly 70%. The PHA oversees flu vaccines delivered in roughly 1,200 NI schools. She noted that about 40 schools had not yet received vaccination visits, with many scheduled to be reached before Christmas and some after the holidays. Delivering vaccines in schools is convenient and tends to boost uptake.
Vaccination rates among children remain below 50% across age groups. Preschoolers (2–4 years) have about 25.8% uptake, primary school children (P1–P7) about 44.7%, and post-primary students (Year 8–12) around 30.3%. While the data is still incomplete, current trends suggest school-age uptake will be similar to last year. Dr McClean expressed a wish for higher participation, ideally 85–90%.
In Northern Ireland, the flu vaccine is free for most children aged 2 to 16, as well as for seniors (65+), pregnant individuals, people with certain health conditions, care-home residents, and health and social care workers. Vaccines are available through GPs, community pharmacies, school programs, and local Trust clinics, with paid vaccination options available for those not eligible for free vaccines.
Community pharmacist Liam Bradley from Derry noted that demand this year has risen compared with last year. Pharmacies operate on fixed vaccine quotas and have already used their allocations in all branches, necessitating new orders and, at times, short-term shortages. Nonetheless, health authorities are working to ensure broad access. It typically takes seven to ten days after vaccination for protection to develop.
