Get a free flu vaccine for your child this mid-term

**WATCH: Video of Dr Michael Hanrahan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE South West**

HSE South West is encouraging all parents to ensure that their child gets the free flu vaccine in the coming days and weeks.

The vaccine takes two weeks to reach maximum protection, so the mid-term break is the ideal opportunity to protect your child ahead of the winter flu season.

The LAIV (Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine) nasal spray is a quick, painless spray administered into each nostril, offering children aged 2–17 years effective protection against winter flu.

Dr Michael Hanrahan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE South West said:

“Flu can be serious for children and those around them. No-one wants Christmas ruined for children by a bad dose which could easily spread to parents and grandparents – so get the vaccine now for maximum protection.

“It’s quick and painless, just a squirt up the nose so there’s no needles or injections required. You can get the free vaccine from your GP, participating pharmacy, or if the HSE South West vaccination teams visit your child’s school.”

After older people, children are the second biggest cohort who get very ill from flu. By vaccinating your child, they are less likely to get the virus and you are also helping to protect family, friends, teachers and classmates.

How the vaccine is administered

• Your child gets the vaccine as a spray up their nose.
• The vaccinator sprays once into each nostril. The spray does not hurt.
• Your child can breathe normally while getting the vaccine. There is no need to take a deep breath or sniff.
• Some children who have chronic health conditions may need two doses, given four weeks apart. For example, chronic heart or lung conditions.
• The nasal flu vaccine contains a very weakened form of the flu virus. But the vaccine does not spread or cause flu infection.

Keep winter viruses at bay

To reduce the risk of your child getting or spreading viral infections, teach or help your child to:

• wash their hands properly and often
• cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow
• put used tissues into a bin and wash their hands afterwards

See hse.ie for more.