Dr Louise Marron
Consultant in Public Health Medicine, National Immunisation Office
Flu can cause serious illness in children. The best protection is the flu vaccine. The vaccine is safe, effective, and available free of charge for all children aged two to 17.
Flu is more than a cold
Each year, flu season runs from October to April. This winter, all children aged two to 17 in Ireland will be offered the flu vaccine free of charge. Flu is not the same as a cold; it is a serious and highly infectious illness that can cause severe illness in children. Children who get flu can experience complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis, and those with long-term conditions are at even greater risk. In the last decade in Ireland, over 9,000 children were admitted to hospital with flu, and over 200 required treatment in an intensive care unit.
Safe and easy protection
The good news is that we can protect children. The flu vaccine is safe, effective and easy to give. It is a nasal spray vaccine, administered as a quick, painless spray up each nostril. No needles are needed. The vaccine helps your child’s immune system to fight off the flu virus if they come into contact with it and gives them the best available protection against flu infection its complications.
Parents can book the vaccine
with their GP or local pharmacist.
Protecting families and communities
Vaccination protects your child. It also helps to stop flu spreading to others, including siblings, parents and grandparents. It can also reduce time away from school and other activities.
A proven vaccine, free of charge
The children’s flu vaccine used in Ireland has been safely given to children for many years in the US and the UK, and since 2020 in Ireland. Most children can get the nasal spray flu vaccine; although a small number with certain medical conditions may need an alternative flu vaccine given by injection.
Side effects, if they occur, are usually mild, such as a runny nose, headache or mild fever. However, they often pass quickly. Serious side effects are very rare.
Parents can book the vaccine with their GP or local pharmacist. In some cases, it may also be offered in schools. Both the consultation and the vaccine are completely free.
For more information, speak to your GP or Pharmacist or visit www.hse.ie/flu
