HSE’s Wexford Winter Vaccination Programme starts this week

• Older people and at-risk groups urged to protect themselves against both flu and COVID-19
• Children’s nasal spray flu vaccine now available in GPs and pharmacies
• RSV immunisation is available at maternity hospitals for newborn babies, and community clinics for babies born between 01 March and 31 August 2025

The HSE Dublin and South East Winter Vaccination Programme begins this week with the rollout of both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines in Wexford. 
All those aged 60 years and older and anyone aged 6 months and older with an underlying medical condition or a weak immune system are recommended to get both a flu and COVID-19 vaccine this autumn/winter.

All healthcare workers and all children aged 2-17 years are recommended to get the flu vaccine. All pregnant women are also recommended to get the flu vaccine, as pregnancy increases the risk of complications from flu infection. Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available free of charge from participating GPs and pharmacies and can be given at the same time or at any time interval. HSE vaccination teams will also provide both vaccines for people living in residential care facilities, including nursing homes as well as to housebound patients. Healthcare worker vaccination clinics will take place in many workplaces across the country.

The children’s nasal spray flu vaccine will be available free for all children aged 2 to 17 years from GPs and Pharmacies and some children will be offered the vaccine in school. The nasal spray flu vaccine is safe, effective and painless. Flu and COVID-19 are serious illnesses. They can lead to severe complications, hospitalisations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and deaths. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those around you.

Last winter, almost 6,500 people were hospitalised with flu. Over 2,000 people were hospitalised with COVID-19. We know that vaccination offers the best possible protection against serious illness and hospitalisations.

Dr Emer Liddy, Public Health Specialist Registrar, HSE Dublin and South East said: “As we enter the winter season, I encourage everyone who is eligible for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines to get vaccinated. Getting a vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself, your family and your community from serious illness in the months ahead. For more information, please speak to your GP or Pharmacist or visit hse.ie.” “This winter, flu and COVID-19 are expected to circulate. It is very important that all those who are in recommended groups get their free flu and COVID-19 vaccines.”

In addition, HSE RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) immunisation clinics for babies born in the six-month period from 1 March 2025 to 31 August 2025 remain open until 12 October. Parents of babies born in this period can book an appointment at a local community site on the RSV Immunisation page of the HSE website https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/rsv/immunisation/. Parents of babies born from 1 September to 28 February 2026 will be offered the immunisation in their maternity hospital before they leave.

Dr Augustine Pereira, Director of Public Health & Winter Resilience Lead said: “Nirsevimab, is a monoclonal antibody that starts working as soon as the baby receives the injection and protects against RSV for 150 days, covering the very early period in a baby’s life when they are most vulnerable to serious RSV related illness.”

Dr Pereira added: “As well as protecting young babies against serious illness, the RSV immunisation programme will help safeguard vital hospital paediatric services during the very busy winter months by limiting preventable admissions caused by RSV related illness.”To see which vaccines are recommended for you, visit hse.ie/flu or hse.ie/covid19vaccine, call HSELive on 1800 700 700, or speak to a participating GP or pharmacy. To read more about RSV, visit- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/rsv/