It comes as the number of people hospitalised with the flu almost doubled in the last week.

Medical staff are urging those with symptoms to stay at home, with hand washing one key factor in stopping the spread.

The HSE is reporting 2,644 cases of flu in the first week of 2024.

There has been an increase in cases of flu among young children as the HSE urges parents to get their kids vaccinated.

Hospitals across the country are recording high trolley numbers this week.

There was no flu recorded in hospitals last year, but there is growing concern over a spread of the virus this winter.

A Longford pharmacist says there is no comparison between the new nasal flu vaccine for children and getting a Covid-19 swab test. Padraig Loughrey

The head of the HSE insists no flu vaccines sent out to GPs and pharmacists have gone missing. 1.3 million doses have been distributed