(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 chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems and care homes residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible, along with healthcare workers and long-term care staff.

Hospitals and care homes should ⁠strengthen infection control plans and encourage ​the use of face masks during ​periods of increased virus circulation, the agency said.

Doctors are being advised to consider prompt use of antiviral ‍medicines for ⁠high-risk patients and during outbreaks in care settings.

The ECDC also called on countries to promote clear communication about ⁠vaccination, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette to help slow the spread of ‌the virus.

(Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru;‌ Editing by Vijay Kishore)