HSE Winter Vaccines Programme launched

The HSE continues to urge people in Ireland to get their recommended winter vaccines for flu and COVID-19.

This campaign brings flu and COVID-19 vaccines together for the people who need vaccines this winter – older people (this includes anyone aged 50+ who’s yet to get their COVID-19 booster, and people aged 65+ for their next COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine), healthcare workers, parents of children, people with long term conditions, and anyone who’s pregnant.

Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines are now available from participating GPs and Pharmacies and can be given at the same time. 15 vaccination centres across the country are also providing free COVID-19 vaccines. Please find more information at hse.ie.

Children’s Nasal Flu Vaccine Campaign

The HSE also asks parents in Ireland to get children aged 2 to 17 vaccinated against the flu.

The children’s nasal spray flu vaccine is available free for all children aged 2 to 17. The vaccine is given as a spray in each nostril. It is not painful and is absorbed quickly. Your child’s vaccine is available from your GP or pharmacy.

You can find more information at https://bit.ly/3Xy0ob7.

COVID-19 and booster updates

People in the following groups who haven’t had a second booster vaccine can now boost their protection:

• People aged 50 and older.
• People aged 12 or over with a long-term health condition like diabetes, asthma or heart disease. Please find the lists of health conditions here.
• Healthcare workers.
• Anyone who is at least 16 weeks pregnant. If you’re pregnant and you haven’t had a first booster, you can get this at any stage of your pregnancy.

Your next COVID-19 vaccine will help protect you from serious illness in the months ahead. This is because protection from previous vaccines or from COVID-19 infection, decreases over time.

If you’ve had COVID-19 recently, wait 4 months before booking your vaccine appointment.

Vaccines are also available from participating GPs and pharmacies.

For more up to date information or to book an appointment in a HSE vaccination centre, visit hse.ie or call our team in HSE Live on 1800 700 700.

COVID-19 vaccine resources

The HSE produces and regularly updates resources for the COVID-19 vaccine. You can visit the COVID-19 vaccine materials page for the latest leaflets and booklets including information on boosters and vaccines for children.

COVID-19 is still with us. These are important things that we can all keep doing to help reduce infection:

• Isolate if you are symptomatic (even if you are fully vaccinated and boosted) or if you are diagnosed with COVID-19
• If you have symptoms, stay at home until 48 hours after symptoms resolve
• Complete your primary and booster programme of vaccination
• Continue to manage risk for yourself and others who are more vulnerable. You can do this by wearing masks, physical distancing and avoiding crowds as well as maintaining basic hand and respiratory hygiene.

Staying safe if you are at higher risk of COVID-19

The things you have been doing all along to protect your health will still work to keep you safer. You can find information on how to stay safe here.