All children between the ages of 2 & 17 are advised to get FREE nasal flu vaccine this year

The HSE are encouraging all children between the ages of 2 and 17 years to get the nasal flu vaccine this year, which is free of charge.

According to the HSE website, children are twice as likely to contract the flu as adults are, and they’re also a lot more likely than adults to get severe symptoms. That’s why it’s so important that parents avail of the free vaccination service for their children this year.

Unlike most vaccines which are given as an injection, the nasal flu vaccine is given to children via a nasal spray, which is safe and effective. It’s given as a single spray in each nostril of your child’s nose.

They report that the spray is not painful and is absorbed quickly. Even if your child has a runny nose, sneezes or blows their nose afterwards, the vaccination will still work.

The HSE have explained that the flu vaccine will “help protect your child against flu and reduce the spread of flu to others — for example their brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents.”

While most children who get the flu only show mild symptoms, some children may experience severe complications, resulting in them needing to be admitted to hospital or even the ICU in some cases.

Your child can get the vaccine from their local GP or in some pharmacies from now until the middle of February.

It’s important to note though that getting the nasal flu vaccine will not protect your child against Covid-19 and children between the ages of 12 and 17 years can and are encouraged to make an appointment to get the Covid-19 vaccine at the same time of their nasal flu vaccine.

For more information on the free nasal flu vaccine for children, go to hse.ie.

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