Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination Programme 2025/26

 
 
 

FLU Vaccines and COVID Boosters - Winter 2025/26


These vaccines are FREE for all patients aged 60 and over and those aged 18+ with an underlying condition (see list of at-risk groups below).

There must be a minimum of 3 full calendar months since your last booster shot or since you had covid.

It is recommended that when a person is eligible for both vaccines, the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered together.

To check when you had your last booster call HSE Live on 1800 700 700

At-Risk Groups

The flu vaccination is offered to people in at-risk groups. These people are at greater risk of developing serious complications if they catch flu, such as pregnant women and elderly people.

We strongly recommend people in at-risk groups to get the flu vaccine:

  • People aged 60 years and over

  • Pregnant women

  • People (adults and children) with long-term medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver, kidney disease, cancer, chronic lung disease including COPD, asthma or neurological diseases

  • People whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment including cancer patients

  • Persons who are obese who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 40

  • People with Down syndrome

  • Residents of nursing homes and other long-stay institutions

  • Healthcare workers

  • Carers and household contacts of people at medical risk of the complications of flu (only household contacts or carers of people who have an underlying chronic health condition or have Down syndrome are eligible to receive an influenza vaccine. A carer is described as someone who is providing an ongoing significant level of care to a person who is in need of care in the home due to illness or disability or frailty.)

  • People with regular close contact with poultry, water fowl or pigs

 

You should not  get the flu vaccine if you have had a severe allergic (anaphylaxis) reaction to a previous dose or any part of the vaccine. Don’t get the flu vaccine if you are taking medicines called combination checkpoint inhibitors (e.g. ipilimumab plus nivolumab).

Vaccination should be re-scheduled if you have an acute illness with a temperature greater than 38°C.

For information on the children's flu vaccine, see Childhood Care & Immunisations.

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Useful Links on Flu Vaccines


​This content of this page (and links to other sites) is for general information purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. While we endeavour to keep this website up-to-date, errors may occur. We advise all patients to discuss their health concerns with their GP. If you would like to suggest amendments or highlight new information that could be useful to others please don’t hesitate to get in touch.