Flu & Pneumococcal Vaccinations

Patients aged 65 years and over, including those with chronic medical conditions, are advised to receive the annual Influenza vaccine.  Influenza is a highly infectious illness caused by the flu virus. It spreads rapidly through small droplets coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person.  Studies have shown that flu vaccines provide effective protection against the flu, although protection may not be complete and may vary between people.  Protection from the vaccine gradually decreases and flu strains change over time. Therefore, new vaccines are made each year and people at risk of flu are encouraged to be vaccinated every year.

The flu vaccination is offered to people in at-risk groups. These people are at greater risk of developing serious complications if they catch flu, such as pregnant women and elderly people.

Children between the ages of 2 to 12 years old can now get the nasal flu vaccine for free.  The flu vaccine will help protect your child against flu and reduce the spread of flu to others.  For example their brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents.

The flu vaccine for children is has been given to children in the US since 2003 and in the UK since 2013.

Further information may be obtained from the following website:

www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/flu-vaccination/flu-vaccine-for-children/

If you are over the age of 65 years, you should also receive a once-off Pneumococcal vaccine.  If you suffer from a long-term medical condition and are under the age of 65 years, you may be need to receive the Pneumococcal vaccination more frequently.

For further information visit:

www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/othervaccines/pneumo/