Flu Vaccine Information centre 2024 / 25

HSE "Who is at risk" Flu Vaccination Leaflet 24/25

Children and young persons 2- 17 years

 For everything you need to know about this years Children and Young Persons flu vaccine - click below

HSE Children 2-17 yrs Flu Vaccination Leaflet 24/25 

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Further Support information

 Click here to download the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for your chosen vaccine

COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine

Ask the pharmacist about getting the flu vaccine  and COVID-19 booster at the same time.

You may experience an increase in side effects after getting both vaccines together. These will be mild and should not last long.

Side effects may include:

• pain in your arm (or arms) where you had the vaccines
• fatigue (feeling tired)
• headache
• muscle aches and pain

If you feel uncomfortable, take paracetamol or ibuprofen following the instructions on the box or leaflet.

Who should get the flu vaccine?

The vaccine is free if you are in any of the categories below that he HSE recommend the flu vaccine for:

Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to get the vaccine at Whelehans Pharmacy. For certain ‘at-risk’ groups, the flu vaccine is highly recommended.

The vaccine is FREE to everyone in the at-risk groups listed below:

• People aged 60 years or over
• Children aged 2 to 17 years

•  If you are Pregnant
• All those aged 18-59 years at increased risk of influenza-related complications such as:
• Those with chronic illness, e.g. chronic heart disease (including acute coronary syndrome), chronic liver disease, chronic neurological disease (where the neurological condition compromises clearance of respiratory secretions), chronic renal failure, chronic respiratory disease (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia), diabetes mellitus, or haemoglobinopathies
•  Those with immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, including asplenia or hypersplenism, and all cancer patients
•   Those with any condition that can compromise respiratory function (e.g. spinal cord injury, seizure disorder, or other neuromuscular disorder especially those attending special schools/day centres)
• Children and adults with Down syndrome
• Children with moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy and intellectual disability
• Those with morbid obesity (Body mass index >40)
• Children on long term aspirin therapy
• Residents of nursing homes, old people’s homes, and other long stay facilities where rapid spread is likely to follow introduction of infection
• Healthcare workers
• Household contacts of people with underlying chronic health conditions or Down syndrome**
• Out-of-home care givers for people who have an underlying chronic health condition or have Down syndrome**
• People in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl

** Only household contacts or carers of people who have an underlying chronic health condition or have Down syndrome are eligible to receive an influenza vaccine. A carer is described as someone who is providing an ongoing significant level of care to a person who is in need of care in the home due to illness or disability or frailty e.g. those in receipt of a carer's allowance. Household contacts of people aged 60 years and older ( who do not have a chronic health condition), of pregnant women, of children aged 2-17 years of healthcare workers or carers are NOT recommended the influenza vaccine unless they are in an at-risk group themselves.

Eligibility criteria are subject to change by the HSE