Covid-19 booster and flu vaccination clinics open this week in Kilkenny

The HSE/South-East Community Healthcare have organised walk-in clinics for Covid-19 booster and flu vaccination in Kilkenny (for healthcare workers and any members of the public eligible for vaccination).

They have also arranged clinics for the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV – nasal flu vaccine for all children aged 2-17 years).

Over the last number of weeks Flu cases have risen rapidly among all age groups.

December 28

Kilkenny (1): For Covid-19 and flu vaccines (open to healthcare workers and any members of the public who are eligible for vaccination) from 9am to 12.30pm at the HSE’s Kilkenny Vaccination Centre: Schools Immunisation Building, Grounds of Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital, Kilcreene, Kilkenny R95 DK07.

Kilkenny (2): For LAIV (Nasal Flu Vaccine for all Children aged 2-17 years) from 1.30pm to 5.30pm at the HSE’s Kilkenny Vaccination Centre: Schools Immunisation Building, Grounds of Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital, Kilcreene, Kilkenny R95 DK07.

Further details on children’s flu clinics can be found at www.hse.ie/fluclinics

Urging all parents of young children to get their free nasal flu vaccine, Dr. Carmel Mullaney (Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Director of Dept. Public HSE Dublin and South East) said:

“Recent data has shown flu is circulating more widely in communities across the country. This is having a big impact on young children in particular. Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect young children from the effects of flu. We know children are more likely to spread the virus among themselves and their family, so getting the vaccine is doubly important. We want children and families to enjoy the Christmas period free from flu and illness.”

The number of confirmed influenza cases notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has increased in the past week, with 283 confirmed influenza cases notified in week 49 (week ending December 10th) and 170 cases reported in week 48 (week ending December 3rd). During week 49, influenza increased in almost all age groups but mainly in those aged 0-4 years.

Symptoms of flu in children can include:

High temperature

Muscle pains

Headache

Extreme tiredness

The flu vaccine gives children the best protection against flu.