Press Release: Friday 13 December 2024
Minister Burke encourages people to protect themselves from ‘flu and COVID-19 this winter
Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke is today urging people to protect themselves from influenza (‘flu) and COVID-19, by keeping up to date with their vaccines, practising good respiratory etiquette and staying home when sick. ‘Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available from participating GPs and pharmacies and are also available to healthcare workers at vaccination clinics in many workplaces.
Minister Colm Burke said:
“As the ‘flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same time, it’s a quick and easy way for people to protect their health. Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep ourselves and others safe, especially those who are more vulnerable. By getting vaccinated we’re helping prevent the spread of ‘flu and COVID-19 in our communities, which should also lighten the load on our health services during the winter.”
Children aged two to seventeen are eligible for the nasal spray ‘flu vaccine. This is a safe, quick and pain-free way to protect children from ‘flu in winter. The vaccine also reduces the risk of children transmitting infection to others, including older, more vulnerable people.
An injectable vaccine will be available for other eligible groups, including those aged 60 and over, individuals with certain health conditions and healthcare workers.
Minister Burke continued:
“Young children are particularly susceptible to severe illness from ‘flu. Therefore, I urge parents to consider vaccinating their children. The influenza vaccine for children is administered as a nasal spray, which is quick and painless.
“It is also important to observe good respiratory etiquette and encourage children to practice the same by washing hands regularly with soap and water, or using hand sanitiser when soap and water are not available; coughing or sneezing into a tissue, or your elbow when you do not have access to a tissue; and staying home when sick.”
Notified influenza (‘flu) cases increased by 67% to 277 cases in week 48 (from 166 in week 47). The incidence of ‘flu are highest in those aged 1- 4 years, followed by those aged 80+ years.
To find out what vaccines are recommended for you, please visit here.
Visit the Health Service Executive’s (HSE’s) website for a list of participating pharmacies and GPs.
You can get a free flu vaccine if you are:
- aged 60 and older
- aged two to 17
- a healthcare worker
- pregnant
- living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
- in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl
- someone with a health condition that puts you at higher risk of flu (aged six months and older)
- living with someone who has a health condition that puts them at higher risk of flu
- a carer for someone who has a health condition that puts them at higher risk of flu
You can get a free COVID-19 booster dose if you are:
- aged 60 and older
- aged 18 to 59 living in a long-term care facility
- aged six months to 59 years with a weak immune system
- aged six months to 59 years with a condition that puts you at high risk of serious illness from COVID-19
- a healthcare worker
- pregnant
Those aged six months to 59 years who are healthy can, following discussion of their reasons with a health care provider (for example: GP, pharmacist or HSE vaccinator), request vaccination.
