The seasonal flu vaccine (flu jab) protects against 4 strains of flu virus. These are the strains most likely to be circulating this flu season.
The vaccine is available every year to adults and children at risk of flu and its complications.
You need to get a new vaccine every Autumn. This is because the strains of the flu virus change. This is why it is called seasonal flu. But people commonly call it flu.
You should get your flu vaccine during the Autumn, to be covered for flu season.
Flu vaccine is recommended
Some people are more at risk of getting complications if they catch flu.
You can get the flu vaccine for free if you:
- are 65 years of age and over
- are pregnant
- are a child aged 2 to 17 years ( via nasal spray)
- are an adult or child aged 6 months or older at increased risk for flu related complications including
those with long term conditions:
- chronic heart disease, including acute coronary syndrome
- chronic liver disease
- chronic renal failure
- chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma or bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system
- diabetes mellitus
haemoglobinopathies
- morbid obesity i.e. body mass index (BMI) over 40
- immunosuppression due to disease or treatment (including treatment for cancer)
- children with a moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorder such as cerebral palsy
- children on long term aspirin therapy
- 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 or day centres
- were born with Down syndrome
- live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
- some people should get the vaccine to protect themselves, their families and those they care for. These include
- Those who work in healthcare
- 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.}
- People who are in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl should get the flu vaccine.
Please note: though anyone who wishes to protect themselves for flu may have the flu vaccine, household contacts of people aged 65 years and older (who do not also have a chronic health condition), pregnant women, children aged 2-17 years or of healthcare workers or carers cannot avail of the HSE season influenza vaccine provided free to all those in high risk groups and have to the source the flu vaccine privately