Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has urged all eligible people in Ireland to avail flu vaccine ahead of winter season. The flu claims 200 to 500 lives in Ireland each year during winter and considered a serious illness by the health officials.
All aged 65, and children between two and 17 years are eligible for free vaccination. Also free vaccines can be availed by pregnant women and people with underlying conditions. Healthcare workers also be given free shots of flu vaccine.
All others can avail vaccine from private facilities with a charge.
Meanwhile flu vaccine is different from Covid vaccine and it cannot give protection from Corona virus, the health officials reminded. Also they have confirmed that it is safe to take Covid and flu vaccines at the same time.
“Although the severity of the flu season can vary, we know that people aged 65 and over are most likely to be impacted and have an increased likelihood of severe illness, being admitted into hospital or dying from flu when compared to the general population. The flu vaccine is the best protection against flu this winter,” said Dr Aparna Keegan of the HSE National Immunisation Office.
Three vaccines are used this year to prevent winter flu and they are as follows:
People with long term conditions will receive the Quadrivalent vaccine manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur. People aged 65 years and over will receive the Fluad Tetra manufactured by Seqirus. Children aged 2-17 will receive the Fluenz Tetra vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca.