The vaccine is free, if you’re eligible.

Whether you’ve been dosed with Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Janssen, it’s been a year of vaccines for us all. However, with winter fast approaching, there are considerations beyond Covid-19 to take into account.

From this morning, the HSE is urging those who are eligible for the free flu vaccine to get jabbed in order to protect themselves.

Those encouraged to come forward include cohorts such as:

• 65 years of age and over
• pregnant
• healthcare worker
• children aged 2 to 17 years
• adult or child aged 6 months or older at increased risk for flu related complications including chronic heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, respiratory disease or neurological disease. A full list of conditions that could be exacerbated by the flu can be found here.

Dr. Aparna Keegan, Flu Lead at the HSE National Immunisation Office said “Flu is a serious illness. Although the severity of the flu season can vary, we know that people aged 65 and over are most likely to 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.”

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly added: “As we emerge from the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is vital to remember that there are other viruses that can take an enormous toll upon the most at-risk in our society, as well as those working in our healthcare system.

“Flu is an unpleasant illness for the majority, but for some it is life-threatening, resulting in serious illness and hospitalisation. Regrettably, up to 500 people in Ireland die from this disease every year.”

The flu vaccine can be accessed through:

• your GP
• a local pharmacy
• an occupational health department or peer vaccinator if you work in healthcare