HSE Mid West to hold Free Flu Vaccine Clinics for Children

• No appointment needed for clinics in Limerick, Clare, Tipperary
• No injection needed: vaccine is given as a spray up the nose - quick, painless, and easy to have

HSE Mid West is holding four special clinics over the next week in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary, where parents can bring their children (aged 2-17 years) for their free nasal spray flu vaccine and make sure that they are protected against flu this Christmas.

These walk-in, free-of-charge vaccine clinics for children aged 2-17 years are taking place as follows:

• Sat Dec 13th ¦ 0930-1600 ¦ Dooradoyle Health Centre, Limerick V94 A6RX
• Tues Dec 16th ¦ 1200-1800 ¦ Primary Care Centre, 22A Mitchel St, Thurles E41 K4C2
• Wed Dec 17th ¦ 1200-1800 ¦ Primary Care Centre, Station Rd, Ennis V95 TY4E
• Thur Dec 18th ¦ 1200-1800 ¦ Ballynanty Health Centre, Kileely Rd, Limerick V94 V280

Flu can be very unpleasant for children and can lead to serious conditions such as pneumonia. Children can also spread flu easily so having the vaccine will reduce the chance of others in your family who could be at greater risk from flu (such as older people, babies and pregnant women), getting flu from your child.

Dr Breda Cosgrove, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, said: “We are seeing a big rise in flu cases across Limerick, Clare and Tipperary right now – numbers have doubled in the past week – and we are seeing more people including children be admitted to hospital with flu. It takes about 2 weeks for the vaccine to work so as we head towards Christmas, we’re encouraging as many parents as possible to bring their children to these free walk-in clinics.”

“Vaccinating your child will protect them against what can be a nasty illness in children and will also help protect more vulnerable family members such as grandparents and small babies” she added.

If you cannot attend these clinics, your child can also get their free flu vaccine at participating pharmacies and GP surgeries.

For more detail on the Children’s Flu Vaccine, visit this page.

The children’s flu vaccine is one part of a broad HSE flu vaccination programme for all ages. For details, visit the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme 2025/2026 here