Flu vaccinations still available for eligible patients

Who is eligible to receive the HSE FLU vaccine this season?

·         People can get a HSE flu vaccine if they are:

·         aged 65 years and older

·         aged 2 to 17 years

·         a healthcare worker

·         pregnant

·         living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility

·         in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl

·         chronic heart disease, including acute coronary syndrome

·         chronic liver disease

·         chronic kidney 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

·         Down syndrome

·         haemoglobinopathies

·         a body mass index (BMI) over 40

·         immunosuppression due to disease or treatment (including asplenia or hyposplenism, and all cancer patients)

·         children with a moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorder such as cerebral palsy

·         children on long-term aspirin therapy

·         any condition that can compromise respiratory function, like spinal cord injury, seizure disorder or other neuromuscular disorder, especially people also attending special schools or day centres

Free flu vaccines can be offered to carers or household contacts of people who have:

·         a health condition listed above

·         Down syndrome

The HSE flu vaccines should not be offered to household contacts of:

·         people aged 65 years and older who do not also have a chronic health condition

·         pregnant women

·         children aged 2 to 17 years

·         healthcare workers

·         carers