FLU VACCINATION FOR PATIENTS AGED 2 TO 12 & 13 TO 17 WITH SPECIFIC CONDITIONS
We are now accepting bookings for the nasal flu vaccine for patients aged 2 to 12 years of age, or those aged 13 to 17 years, with specific conditions. The flu vaccine is recommended to protect your child, as it reduces the chance of getting the flu, and helps to reduce transmission of the flu to others, including vulnerable adults. The vaccine is free of charge.
PLEASE NOTE: we have a limited stock of children’s flu vaccine – some children will be offered the vaccine in their school.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE CHILDREN’S FLU VACCINE:
1. This flu season, all children age 2 to 12 will be offered the nasal flu vaccine free of charge.
2. Young people aged 13 to 17 can also get the free nasal flu vaccine if they have:
- a long-term medical conditions such as diabetes, chronic conditions of the heart, liver or kidney, and chronic lung disease including COPD, or neurological diseases
- cancer
- an impaired immune system due to disease or treatment
- a body mass index (BMI) of over 40
- Down syndrome
- regular contact with poultry, water fowl or pigs
- are carers
- live in the same house as someone who is at risk of flu because of a medical condition
- live in a long-term residential care facility (vaccines will be given in the facility to patients in this group).
Influenza (flu) is a very infectious illness caused by the flu virus. Flu spreads easily and infects both children and adults. Children are twice as likely to get the flu than adults. Children are also more likely than adults to get severe complications of flu. You can see further information about the flu vaccine for children here on the HSE website.
Children in this age group will receive the FLUENZ TETRA nasal flu vaccine and you can read detailed patient information about this vaccine by clicking here.
We now have this vaccine in stock and you can book an appointment for your child or children by clicking the link below (all available appointments are online only).
You will need an email address to make an online booking and your child must be a registered patient of the Sirona Medical practice. If you do not have internet access, you could ask a friend or relative to help.
We have no more clinics scheduled, but we have a limited number of nasal flu vaccines still available for eligible children. Please call Reception to make an appointment.
The vaccine will be administered free of charge to patients in this age group, regardless of whether the child holds a Medical Card, Doctor Visit Card or is a private patient.
Please Note: You should delay your child’s vaccination if they are not well and have a high temperature. The vaccination can be delayed until they feel better. If your child has a very blocked or runny nose, it might stop the vaccine from getting into their system. In this case, delay the vaccine until their nose is clear.
For children with any respiratory symptoms / Covid-19 symptoms, please postpone their vaccine (or cancel any appointment made) until they are 48 hours free of symptoms. See further information here on the HSE website about Covid-19 in children.
