Vaccine for Children and Older People

Children and Older people have been invited by letter to have a swine flu vaccine since the end of 2009. We are now asking any people in these groups who have not been vaccinated to come to a HSE Clinic before February 1 2009 for their free Swine Flu Vaccine. Schoolchildren are still being vaccinated through their schools. Clicking on the links below will bring you to more detailed information for these groups:

Please make sure that a parent or guardian visits the clinic with the child for their vaccine, as we need to have the written consent of the child's parent or guardian for vaccination.

Information for Parents of Children aged from 6 months to under 5 years

Below are some frequently asked questions from parents about the Swine Flu Vaccine.

Getting the vaccine protects your child from Swine Flu, and it also protects the people around them.

Children aged 6 months to under 5 years old have been invited to visit a HSE Clinic for their Swine Flu Vaccine. While rates of swine flu have dropped from the peak seen in late 2009, we are still seeing cases and we want to be be prepared for a possible second or later wave of infection - as was experienced in previous pandemics.

If your child has not been vaccinated yet, or if you did not receive an invitation letter, please come to a HSE clinic before February 1st for your free swine flu vaccine.

Getting the vaccine protects your child from Swine Flu, and it also protects the people around them, as they won't get flu and pass it on to their family, friends, relatives, or someone close to them who is not in full health. So, the more people that get the vaccine, the less flu gets passed around.

What is Swine Flu?
Swine Flu is a new flu virus that, for most people, has caused mild to moderate illness. However, some children, pregnant women and people with long-term illnesses have been hit harder by this flu.

Why are children in this age group getting the vaccine?
Children in this age group are more at risk of getting Swine Flu and also are more at risk of being hospitalised from flu complications. We want to make sure that we protect as many children as possible from the effects of the flu. Babies aged under 6 months cannot get the Swine Flu Vaccine, but we will offer a vaccine to anyone living with a child under 6 months to protect the baby. Read more about this here. Children aged 5 - 18 are being vaccinated through schools, and you can read more about this here.

How does the Swine Flu vaccine work?
The vaccine helps a person's immune system to produce antibodies to the Swine Flu virus. When someone who has been vaccinated comes into contact with Swine Flu these antibodies attack the virus and prevent the person getting the flu.

How safe is the Swine Flu vaccine?
The Swine Flu vaccines have been licensed by the Irish Medicines Board and the European Medicines Agency. These vaccines have been given to millions of people across Europe already this year. Reactions have been normal and similar to seasonal flu vaccines, which have been used for more than 60 years. Serious side effects are expected to be very rare and the Swine Flu vaccine cannot give you Swine Flu.

How long does it take the vaccine to work?
The vaccine starts to work within two weeks, so please ensure that you continue to follow good infection control after being vaccinated. If you cough or sneeze - Catch It in a tissue, Bin It and Kill It by washing your hands with soap and water.

Do I need one or two doses of vaccine?
There are two different makes of vaccine being used in Ireland; Pandemrix (manufactured by GSK) and Celvapan (manufactured by Baxter).

For the Pandemrix vaccine, one dose of the vaccine will be enough to protect most people from Swine Flu. The only exception to this is people with immunosuppression who will require two doses of this vaccine. Immunosuppressed people would include people with cancer or on cancer treatment. Check with your GP if you are unsure.

For the Celvapan vaccine, 2 doses of vaccine are required to give full protection from Swine Flu. Both vaccines are considered to be equally effective and have the same safety profile.

Where a second dose of vaccine is needed, it should be given after a gap of at least three weeks or longer. If you need a second dose of vaccine, the HSE will let you know when it is available and invite you to attend to get it.

Can my child have the swine flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?
The swine flu vaccine is an inactivated vaccine and can be given at the same time as other childhood vaccines. When swine flu vaccine is given at the same time as other vaccines it should be given into a different limb. There may be more local reactions such as pain, swelling or redness and fever is also more likely when the vaccines are given at the same time.

Is there anyone who cannot get Swine Flu vaccine?
The vaccine should not be given to children under 6 months of age, and should be postponed for people who have a temperature over 38ºC. If your child has a severe egg allergy, they can have the Celvapan vaccine, as the Pandemrix vaccine is made using eggs. Every child aged 6 months to under 5 years should get the vaccine unless they have a severe allergy to some substances in the vaccine or have previously had Guillain Barré Syndrome. If your child has any of these allergies or conditions you can discuss them with the vaccine clinic staff.

What can we expect after vaccination?
The most common side effects will be mild and may include soreness, redness or swelling where the injection was given. Headache, fever, aches, a mild rash and tiredness may occur. Some people may have mild sweating and shivering as their immune system responds to the vaccine, but this is not Swine Flu and will pass after a day or so. Severe or life threatening allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare.

What if my child doesn't feel well after vaccination?
Give them paracetamol if they have a fever or any pain where the injection was given. Avoid clothes rubbing against the injection area and drink plenty of fluids. Remember, if a child is unwell after getting a vaccine, it could be for some other reason - don't assume it's the flu vaccine and take medical advice if needed.

Do I have to pay for the vaccine?
The vaccine and its administration are free of charge for everyone.