Dear Service Provider,

Please find below a link to a HSE Memo with information on new free Flu Vaccine Walk-in Clinics for Children Aged 2-17 that are running this week. All children aged 2-17 can get the free flu vaccine.

The nasal flu vaccine is still available in Ireland for children aged 2-17. It is given as a spray up the nose, there is no need for an injection.

This is in response to rising numbers of both flu cases in children as well as the significant number of children who have been hospitalised with flu this winter and very low vaccination rates. Flu can be serious in children.

A number of community vaccination centres across the country are now offering walk-in flu vaccination clinics for all children aged 2-17. No appointment is necessary and the vaccine is free of charge. The full schedule of clinics is available on https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/walk-in/

The vaccine is also available from participating GPs and pharmacists. Parents can find details on pharmacies offering vaccinations in their area using the pharmacy finder tool on https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/pharmacies-flu/.

The nasal spray flu vaccine is only available until Monday, 23 January. After this date, only children with medical conditions which put them at risk of serious illness from flu will be able to get a flu vaccine given as an injection.

Find out more about the free nasal flu vaccine for children at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/.

Kind regards,

Early Years Comms