Flu Vaccination Service for Adults (2023)

Flu Vaccination Service for Adults (2023)

What is flu? Fever, headache, sore throat and all-over aches and pains are all symptoms that can be associated with flu. Caused by an existing flu virus, it is a common infection in Ireland that usually occurs during the winter months.

Who should get the winter flu vaccine?

The following groups are eligible for the HSE free flu vaccine in 2023/24:

• All children aged 2-12 years at the time of vaccination – Please book the Nasal Vaccination here
• Persons aged 65 and older
• Pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)
• Those aged 6 to 23 months and aged 13-64 years with:
  • Chronic heart disease including acute coronary syndrome
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system
  • Chronic renal failure
  • Cancer patients
  • Chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma or bronchopulmonary dysplasia
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Down syndrome
  • Haemoglobinopathies
  • Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, including asplenia or splenic dysfunction and cancer patients
  • Morbid obesity, i.e. body mass index of 40 or over
  • On long‐term aspirin therapy (because of the risk of Reyes syndrome)
  • With any condition (e.g. cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injury, seizure disorder, or other neuromuscular disorder) that can compromise respiratory function especially those attending special schools/day centres
  • With moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy and intellectual disability
• Healthcare workers including all General Practice and pharmacy staff
• Residents of nursing homes and other long stay institutions
• Carers and household contacts of people with increased medical risk**
• People with regular contact with pigs, poultry or water fowl

** 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 65 years and older (who do not also have a chronic health condition), of pregnant women, of children aged 2-12 years or of healthcare workers or carers are not recommended the influenza vaccine unless they are in an at-risk group themselves.

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.

If you are unsure about your eligibility for a free vaccination, call us on (01) 8746972.

Who should NOT get the winter flu vaccine?

• The vaccine should not be given to those with a history of severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or any of its constituents.

Vaccination service subject to specially trained pharmacist and stock availability. A charge of up to €30 may apply. Eligibility criteria apply.