Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme 2025/2026

This season the HSE will make the following seasonal influenza vaccines available for vaccinators delivering the HSE vaccination programme on behalf of the HSE in line with Department of Health Immunisation Policy. 

  • LAIV: Trivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine, nasal application for those aged 2-17 years.

    Brand available: 

    • Fluenz nasal spray suspension influenza vaccine (live attenuated, nasal) manufactured by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) DAC

  • IIV: Trivalent Injectable Inactivated influenza vaccine, available for all other eligible populations including those eligible children (aged 2-17 years) with contraindications to LAIV (IIV is licensed for those 6 months of age and older).

    Brands available:

    • Influvac manufactured by Viatris
    • Vaxigrip manufactured by Sanofi

Visit the HPRA website for licensed vaccine information. (you will be directed to the HPRA website). You can read the patient information leaflet (PIL) and summary of product characteristics (SmPC).

Table of recommended groups for COVID-19 autumn booster and Influenza vaccine; Winter Vaccination Programme 2025/2026 (520kb)

 

Who is eligible for a HSE Flu Vaccine?

The following people are eligible for a free Flu vaccination:

  • age 60 and older
  • age 2 to 17
  • a healthcare worker
  • pregnant
  • living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
  • in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl
  • someone with a health condition that puts you at higher risk of flu (age 6 months and older)
  • living with someone who has a health condition that puts them at higher risk of flu
  • a carer for someone who has a health condition that puts them at higher risk of flu

 

People with one or more of these health conditions can get a free Flu vaccine:

  • Cancer
  • chronic heart disease, including acute coronary syndrome
  • chronic liver disease
  • chronic kidney failure
  • chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia
  • chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system
  • diabetes and other metabolic disorders, including inherited metabolic disorders
  • Down syndrome
  • haemoglobinopathies
  • a body mass index (BMI) over 40
  • immunosuppression due to disease or treatment (including asplenia or hyposplenism)
  • serious mental health conditions
  • children with a moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorder such as cerebral palsy
  • children on long-term aspirin therapy
  • any condition that can compromise respiratory function, like spinal cord injury, seizure disorder or other neuromuscular disorder, especially people also attending special schools or day centres

There may be people with other health conditions that are recommended a flu vaccine. Your can talk to your GP (doctor) or pharmacist about this.

  

IIV Progamme Materials

Guidance

Consent Form

Leaflets

Information for at-risk groups

  • At-risk group leaflet English (234kb) | Irish (148kb) 

Information for healthcare workers

  • Healthcare worker leaflet - English (197kb) | Irish (151kb) 

Information for pregnant women

Posters

 

LAIV Programme Materials

Guidance

HSE School Programme Consent Pack

  • Factsheet for parents and guardians in English (107kb) | Irish (93kb)
  • Consent Form in English (196kb) | Irish (201kb)
  • Leaflet in English (234kb) | Irish (212kb) Please note printed copies are only available in English and Irish. All other language versions will need to be downloaded and printed locally if required
  • Post vaccination advice in English (172kb) | Irish (69.3kb)

Posters

Video

Watch this short video showing how to administer LAIV vaccine to children

 

 

HSELand e-learning modules

  • Log into your www.hseland.ie account
  • Select courses along the top ribbon
  • Select catalogue from the drop down menu
  • Select clinical skills from the boxes
  • Select National Immunisation Office
  • Select Influenza (Flu) vaccination
  • Select, enrol and complete the 
    • "Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV)"
    • "Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (IIV)" 

 

Additional resources

 

This page was updated on 5 September 2025