Children’s Flu Vaccine Clinics taking place in Kilkenny, Waterford, Carlow and Clonmel

Children’s Flu Vaccine Clinics taking place this week in Kilkenny, Waterford, Carlow and Clonmel

As part of its encouragement to parents to ensure their children are up to date with the Flu vaccine, the HSE is this week running free nasal spray vaccine clinics at locations in the South East for children aged two to 17 years old.

Kilkenny on Wednesday 8^th of January

• A walk-in clinic is taking place from 2.30pm to 4pm on Wednesday 8^th of January in the Newpark Primary Care Centre in Kilkenny (Eircode R95 HAC4).

Waterford on Wednesday 8^th of January

• A walk-in clinic is taking place from 2.30pm to 4pm on Wednesday 8^th of January in the Waterford Vaccination Centre, Old St. Martin’s School, Kilcohan, Waterford (X91 EY73).

Carlow on Thursday 9^th of January

• A walk-in clinic is taking place from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Thursday 9^th of January in the Carlow Vaccination Centre, located on the grounds of St. Dympna’s Hospital in Carlow (Eircode R93 X7TV).

Clonmel on Friday 10^th of January

• A walk-in clinic is taking place from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Friday 10^th of January in the South Tipperary Vaccination Centre, located on the grounds of St. Luke’s Hospital in western Rd., Clonmel (Eircode E91 PR83).

Available free and without appointment at the clinic, the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) is administered to children aged 2-17 years by way of a safe, quick and painless spray in each nostril. Children can breathe normally and many report that it “tickles” when being given. Parents /guardians must consent to vaccination of 2-17 year olds at the time of vaccination and a parent/guardian must also accompany the children in receipt. Please bring the child’s PPSN with you to their appointment.

Flu is a serious illness that can be dangerous in children, with studies showing that children are twice as likely as adults to catch and spread flu easily. Young children are also more likely than adults to be very sick from flu. Vaccinating children protects them – and their siblings, parents, grandparents and those who are vulnerable. See https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/childrens-flu-vaccine/

The children’s nasal Flu vaccine is also available from pharmacies. For participating pharmacies, please check: Find a pharmacy giving flu and COVID-19 vaccines

The adult Flu vaccine is available from GPs and pharmacies. The HSE has recently completed a programme of Flu and COVID-19 booster vaccinations for residents and staff in both public and privately run long term care facilities. The HSE has ongoing clinics in place for healthcare workers to receive both Flu and COVID-19 booster vaccinations.

For those eligible, the COVID-19 booster vaccination is available from GPs and pharmacies.

For GPs in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and South Tipperary that are administering the Flu and COVID-19 booster vaccinations, please check: https://www2.hse.ie/services/find-a-gp/. As regards pharmacies in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and South Tipperary, where the Flu vaccine, the children’s nasal Flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster vaccinations are available, please check: https://www2.hse.ie/services/pharmacies-flu-and-covid-vaccines/

Details of HSE Flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics for healthcare workers are listed at: https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/covid-19-and-flu-vaccination-clinics-for-staff/  

Information to keep well during winter is listed at: www.hse.ie/media/documents/Be_Winter_Ready_booklet_2024-2025.pdf