OnlinePharmacy.ie - Flu Vaccination

General Info About The Flu:

  • The Flu is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It can affect people of all ages with outbreaks occurring almost every year, usually in winter.
  • Flu is often self-limiting with most people recovering in 2-7 days. However, flu can be severe and can cause serious illness and death, especially in the very young and in the elderly.
  • The flu vaccine helps the person’s immune system produce antibodies to the flu virus. The vaccine starts to work within two weeks.

Nasal Spray Vaccine for Children:

The nasal spray vaccine is given as a small spray into each nostril of a child’s nose. The child can breathe normally while getting the vaccine – there is no need to take a deep breath or sniff. The vaccine is not painful and will work even if the child has a runny nose, sneezes or blows their nose after the vaccination.

Who Is Eligible For A Free Flu Vaccine?

The vaccine is FREE to everyone in the at-risk groups listed below:

  • All those aged 65 years and over
  • All children aged 2-17 inclusive
  • All pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy
  • Chronic respiratory disease including cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma, COPD
  • Chronic heart, renal (kidney) or liver disease
  • Chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Haemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell anemia
  • Hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system etc.
  • Cancer patients
  • Residents of nursing homes and long stay institutions
  • Children with conditions that compromise respiratory function eg. spinal cord injury, seizure or other neuromuscular disorder
  • Morbid obesity ie. Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40
  • Those who are immunosuppressed due to disease or treatment including those with missing or non functioning spleens
  • Healthcare workers
  • Carers of persons with increased medical risk
  • Household contacts or out of home carers of persons with increased medical risk
  • People who have close, regular contact with pigs, poultry or water fowl
  • Down Syndrome
  • Children on long-term aspirin therapy

Eligibility criteria are subject to change by the HSE, ask in store for details.

Getting Vaccinated:

  • The most common side-effects and symptoms will be mild (e.g. headache, fever) usually lasting just one day. Your pharmacist will advise you on how to manage any symptoms,
  • The flu virus changes each year this is why a new flu vaccine has to be given each year.

Why choose us:

  • We have specially trained pharmacists in store that have vaccinated thousands of patients successfully.
  • Option of weekend appointments available

They are free to patients over 65, healthcare and homecare workers with direct patient contact and those with specified underlying health conditions. If you do not meet the criteria then you will need to book a private flu vaccination.

Private Flu Vaccines: This vaccination service is for those who do not meet the criteria for receiving a HSE vaccine.