Cork Kerry Community Healthcare
Monday, December 18 2023
Help protect everyone in the household by bringing children to a pop-up nasal flu vaccine clinic over the festive break.
The walk-in clinics are open to children aged 2-17 for a free nasal spray vaccine and are planned for when people might have a little more free time:
Cork:
Nemo Rangers GAA club, Mount Vernon Crescent, Ballinlough, Cork, T12 R2PC
Thursday, 28 December 10am to 2pm
West Cork:
Newtown Vaccination Centre, Newtown, Bantry, Co. Cork, P75 H304
Friday, 29 December: 10am to 3pm
Kerry:
Tralee Vaccination Hub, Borg Warner Tralee. Co Kerry. V92 HT21.
Friday, 29 December 10:20am to 3:30pm
Children are given the nasal vaccine by spraying the vaccine once into each nostril. It is a quick and painless spray. Children can breathe normally and many of them report that it tickles when being given.
Dr Nicola Murphy, Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine said: "Flu can cause serious illness and children are twice as likely to contract flu and remain infectious for longer when compared with adults. They are also at higher risk of severe illness, complications and hospitalisation.
"Young children, in particular, are more likely than adults to be very sick and admitted to hospital because of flu. A study carried out in the UK has shown that there was a substantial reduction in the number of children who became ill and were hospitalised with flu in regions where the flu vaccine was given to primary school children. There was also an overall reduction of over half in the number of adults going to see their GP with the flu as a result of primary school children being vaccinated.
"It is safe, effective and free of charge for those who are eligible. Vaccinating children protects them – and it also protects their siblings, parents, grandparents and those who are vulnerable."
Symptoms of flu in children can include:
- High temperature
- Muscle pains
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
For more information about any of the vaccines, Flu.ie
Last updated on: 05 / 01 / 2024
