(Reuters) -The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on Thursday urged people eligible for influenza shots to get vaccinated without delay, warning that flu cases are rising weeks ahead of the last two seasons.

Influenza detections are rising three to four weeks ahead of the usual schedule in European Union and European Economic Area countries driven by a newly emerged strain, the ECDC said.

The agency cautioned that a severe flu season could put extra pressure on healthcare systems, especially if vaccine uptake is low.

“Getting vaccinated now is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you from serious illness this winter,” said Edoardo Colzani, Head of Section Respiratory Viruses at ECDC.

The ECDC urged older adults, pregnant people, those with

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