Flu Vaccine Information centre 2023 / 24

HSE "Who is at risk" Flu Vaccination Leaflet 23/24

 

Children and young persons 2- 17 years

The HSE Free Nasal Flu Vaccine for children 2 - 17 yrs is now available:-

• by appointment at our Clonmore store or Pearse St (Fridays only)
• at our "Walk-in" Flu clinics at Pearse St store every Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 14:00

For our "walk-in" clinics at Pearse St, you can save some time in store by downloading the consent form below and completing it before you arrive (printer required)

Flu Vaccine Children 2-17yrs 23/24 Consent form

 

Important - please read 23/24 HSE information leaflet for Children 2-17yrs free flu vaccine

HSE Children 2-17 yrs Flu Vaccination Leaflet 23/24 

 Please note that for children aged 13 to 17 years only those who are in an at-risk group are eligible in the 2023/24 season cohort

 

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:

• Children aged 2-17 years (please read HSE leaflet on flu vaccine for children)

Anyone over the age of 2 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:

• All those aged 65 years and over
• All children aged 2-17 years at time of vaccination
• All pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy

Those aged 18-64 years with any of the following:-

• Chronic respiratory disease including COPD, cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma or bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• Chronic heart (including acute coronary syndrome),
• Chronic renal (kidney) failure
• Chronic liver disease
• Chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Haemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell anaemia
• Hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system etc.
• Cancer patients
• Residents of nursing homes and long stay institutions
• With any conditions that compromise respiratory function eg. spinal cord injury, seizure or other neuromuscular disorder (especially those attending special schools/day centres
• Morbid obesity ie. Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40
• Those who are immunosuppressed due to disease or treatment including asplenia or splenic dysfunction
• Healthcare workers including all General Practice and Pharmacy staff
• Residents of nursing homes and other long stay institutions
• Carers  and Household contacts of persons with increased medical risk**
• People who have close, regular contact with pigs, poultry or water fowl
• Down Syndrome
• On long-term aspirin therapy (due to risk of Reyes syndrome)

** 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 care 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 65 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.

Effective 4th Dec all children aged 13 to 17 years  are eligible in the 2023/24 season cohort

Eligibility criteria are subject to change by the HSE