The flu vaccine is best available protection from flu.
If you are age 60 or older, you can get the flu vaccine for free every year.
Where to get the free flu vaccine
You can get the flu vaccine from a GP or pharmacist.
You can get the flu vaccine where you live if you:
- live in a nursing home
- are housebound
Why older people should get the flu vaccine
Flu can be dangerous for people of all ages.
But people age 60 and older who get flu are at higher risk of:
- severe illness
- going to hospital
- dying of flu
Most people who die of flu are age 60 or older.
Types of flu vaccine
We offer different types of flu vaccine depending on your age:
- standard flu vaccine - adults up to age 64
- enhanced flu vaccine - adults age 65 and older
Enhanced flu vaccine
As you get older, your immune system may not respond as well to the standard flu vaccine.
The enhanced flu vaccine contains an ingredient called an adjuvant. Adjuvants increase the immune response compared with standard vaccines.
Immunity
You need to get the flu vaccine every year because:
- flu strains change each year
- the antibodies that protect you fade over time
Who should not get the flu vaccine
You should not get the flu vaccine if you:
- had a severe allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine or any part of the vaccine
- have a temperature 38 degrees Celsius or higher - wait until you are well before getting the vaccine
Check with your GP or doctor
Talk to your GP or specialist doctor if you:
- have a severe type of neutropoenia (low levels of a type of white blood cell)
- take medicines called combination checkpoint inhibitors - for example, ipilimumab and nivolumab
You may need to wait to have the flu vaccine.
Flu vaccine and egg allergy
If you have an egg allergy, talk to your vaccinator before getting the vaccine. Most people with an egg allergy can get the flu vaccine.
Side effects
After the vaccine, you may have some mild side effects.
Mild side effects may include:
- soreness, redness or swelling where you got the injection
- headache
- fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)
- aches
- feeling tired
People who get the enhanced flu vaccine may have more of the mild side effects. For example, redness at the injection site, a sore arm or muscle aches.
If you have any of these side effects, rest and take paracetamol.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction are rare.
Find your patient information leaflet
You can find the patient information leaflets for the vaccines online.
The name of the enhanced flu vaccine is Fluad. The names of the standard flu vaccines are Vaxigrip or Influvac Sub-unit.
How to find your patient information leaflet online
Reporting side effects
If you think you have a side effect after having a vaccine, you can report it to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or a family member can also report the side effect to the HPRA.
Report any harmful effects to the Health Products Regulatory Authority - hpra.ie
Other vaccines
You can get the flu vaccine at the same time as a:
- pneumococcal vaccine
- COVID-19 vaccine
If you are age 65 or older, you can get a free pneumococcal vaccine. You only need to get this vaccine once.
The pneumococcal vaccine protects you from pneumonia.