Nasal Flu vaccine only available for children until Monday January 23

Leitrim parents have received notice this week through their primary schools about the FREE flu vaccine for children. The nasal spray is only available until Monday, January 23 - after that children will need to get the flu injection.

The nasal flu vaccine is still available in Ireland for children aged 2-17. It is given as a spray up the nose, there is no need for an injection. It is a safe, easy and pain free way to help protect children against flu this winter.

The flu vaccine will also help reduce the spread of flu to others such as siblings, parents, teachers at high risk of flu complications (e.g. pregnant or long-term health conditions) and grandparents.

The HSE has set up additional walk-in flu vaccination clinics for all children aged 2-17 years.

Boots in Carrick-on-Shannon and RJS in Drumshanbo are both administering the nasal flu vaccine.

Carrick on Shannon Vaccination Centre is holding a walk in time from 1-4.30pm this Saturday, January 21.

Parents can find details on all centres offering vaccinations in their area using the pharmacy finder tool on www.hse.ie/flu

The nasal spray flu vaccine is only available until Monday, 23 January. After this date, only children with medical conditions which put them at risk of serious illness from flu will be able to get a flu vaccine given as an injection.

Flu can cause serious illness in children, and children with chronic health conditions are most at risk

of severe complications of flu. Children also carry the flu virus in their system longer than adults do. They can spread the flu virus easily to other children, like those in day-care centres and schools, and to older and vulnerable

people around them. The flu vaccine will give children the best protection against flu.

Find out more about the free nasal flu vaccine for children at www.hse.ie/flu