The Department of Health has updated the Immunisation Policy for the remainder of the 2021/2022 influenza season. All those aged 50 years or older are now entitled to free flu vaccine and free vaccine administration. The extension, will maximise the impact of the flu programme and reduce the risk of influenza compounding the winter pressures on our healthcare system due to COVID-19. This policy is in line with the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommendation.
When administering the COVID-19 booster vaccine to people aged 50 and older and where capacity allows, GP practices and pharmacies should also offer the flu vaccine.
As per NIAC
COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines may be administered at the same time or at any interval. As it is not known if COVID-19 vaccine reactogenicity is increased with coadministration, vaccines should be given in different arms.
See https://bit.ly/NIAC5a
Visit www.hse.ie/flu for more information
Visit the HSE website to find a local pharmacy offering influenza vaccine
This page was added on 10 December 2021
