Top doctors encourage people to get flu and COVID-19 vaccines ‘before peak of virus season’ – Irish Independent

The vaccination programme this winter season offers a flu vaccine in the form of a nasal spray for children aged 2-12 years and an injectable flu vaccine for other eligible individuals.

The flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines are available through participating GPs and pharmacies and can be administered at the same time.

The uptake of these vaccines has been high so far, Dept of Health has confirmed.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Breda Smyth advised the vaccines are safe and effective. Meanwhile, she also highlighted the importance of good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

As the two vaccines can be administered at the same time, its a quick and easy way for people to protect their health, as well as protecting those around them, Professor Smyth said.

Young children in particular are more likely to be very sick from flu, so I am asking parents to please consider getting your child vaccinated.

The flu vaccine for children is a nasal spray and is administered quickly and painlessly, she added.

The nasal spray flu vaccine for children is available in some primary schools. Children who missed out on the flu vaccine in schools can still get them through GPs and pharmacies.

The flu vaccine is available free of charge for all persons aged 65 years and over, children aged 2 to 12, pregnant individuals, and patients aged 6-23 months and 13-64 years at increased risk of flu-related complications.

Those who can also get the flu vaccine for free are residents of nursing homes and other long-stay facilities, household contacts of people with underlying conditions or Down Syndrome, and Out of Home Care Givers (carers for people who have underlying chronic health conditions or have Down Syndrome).

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 boosters are available for those aged 50 years and older and those aged 5-49 years with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination or with medical conditions associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation, severe disease or death.

The boosters are also available for pregnant persons if it is more than six months since their previous vaccine or COVID-19 infection.

All healthcare workers can get COVID-19 boosters and flu vaccines free of charge at walk-in vaccination clinics. The locations around the country can be found on the HSE website.

Chief Nursing Officer Rachel Kenna said: I am encouraging everyone who is eligible to please make an appointment to receive your flu jab and COVID-19 booster to help minimise the risk of serious illness.

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Top doctors encourage people to get flu and COVID-19 vaccines 'before peak of virus season' - Irish Independent