Health professionals are raising alarms about the imminent threat of a wintertime increase in serious respiratory illnesses, measles, and a potential outbreak of smallpox. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is planning to ramp up vaccination campaigns, including a new strategy that focuses on immunising newborn babies.
Those most at risk are strongly urged by top immunologists to avail of “all available vaccinations” as the HSE gears up for a potentially challenging scenario. The HSE spokesperson disclosed that high rates of Covid-19, flu, and RSV [respiratory syncytial virus] are anticipated during the “multi-pathogenic” winter months.
She also speculated that the difficulties experienced during the summer periods due to lack of adequate uptake of measles and pertussis [whooping cough] vaccines will likely persist during the winter. This cautionary message follows a summer of escalating Covid-19 transmission – an uncommon trend as the virus had previously declined during past summers – brought on by the highly contagious nature of the FLiRT variant that has been prevalent since the spring season and increasing numbers of large global congregations like the Olympics and Paralympics held in Paris.
Latest information from the National Wastewater Surveillance Programme, a monitoring system that measures the presence of Sars-CoV-2 (causing Covid-19) in sewage, suggests the viral load remains “decidedly high”, says the HSE. However, other parameters like hospital admissions indicate a dwindling incidence as the summer peak seems to have passed.
The HSE spokesperson added that plans were being drawn up to optimise coordination among services for at-risk groups like nursing home residents across primary, community, and acute services. An implementation scheme will be rolled out to “intensify adherence to infection prevention and control measures across various environments.” An autumn and winter programme for Covid-19 and flu vaccinations for advised groups has been laid out while a groundbreaking “pathfinder programme” is set to begin, introducing immunisation for newborns during the RSV season.
Biochemistry and immunology expert, Prof Luke O’Neill, issued a stark notice to the HSE and public amid the ever-fluctuating situation of Covid, advising strong caution and preparation for potentially severe scenarios. The professor emphasised that Covid should now be equated with other sources of respiratory diseases, such as the common cold, flu, and RSV. However, the distinguishing factor remains its capability to induce persistent symptoms leading to long Covid, which poses a significant threat to individuals, the healthcare system, and the economy, as it incapacitates people from working.
Stressing the need for proactive defensive measures, he encouraged people to fully avail themselves of preventative measures, including every available vaccination, not only for their safety but also for the protection of the healthcare system. The volatile nature of Covid makes it more complicated than flu in terms of predicting the potential impact or contagiousness of a possible new variant during the winter season.
He focused on the emerging fears by highlighting the example of Australia, where the winter season has already passed and experienced an escalation in flu cases and a moderately more transmissible variant of Covid. The potential for another variant remains uncertain. Given the difficulty in forecasting actual figures, prudence and preparation for grave outcomes are considered the optimal approach.