Winter flu – who is eligible for a free vaccine?
Published: 5 November 2026
**WATCH: Video of Dr Michael Hanrahan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE South West**
Winter flu – who is eligible for a free vaccine?
HSE South West is offering free vaccines to people at higher risk from flu this winter. These include older people, children, pregnant women, healthcare workers and those with underlying conditions.
The best time to get your vaccines is before the flu and Covid-19 seasons peak, as it takes about two weeks for the vaccines to start working.
HSE South West Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Dr Michael Hanrahan, said: “As a Public Health doctor, I see people getting really sick from the flu every year. It’s not just a ‘bad cold’ - it can make you very ill, requiring hospitalisation and really affects people for weeks afterwards.
“Older people, those with medical conditions which make them vulnerable if they get the flu, children, carers, pregnant women and healthcare workers are all eligible for a free vaccine. HSE vaccination teams will provide vaccines to residents of nursing homes, other residential care facilities, and to people who are housebound. Flu vaccination clinics are running daily for healthcare workers and the free nasal flu vaccine is available for children aged 2 to 17 years through participating GPs and pharmacies and some school-based programmes.
“If you’re unsure if you are eligible for a free flu vaccine, call contact HSELive, 1800 700 700 and they will advise you.”
You can get a free flu vaccine from your GP, Pharmacy or HSE South West Vaccination Clinic if you:
- are age 60 and older
- are age 2 to 17
- are a healthcare worker
- are pregnant
- live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
- have regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl
- have a health condition* and are age 6 months or older
- live with someone who has a certain health condition*
- are a carer for someone who has a certain health condition*
*The list of health conditions eligible for a free flu vaccine is available online: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/get-vaccine/
“As a Public Health doctor, I see people getting really sick from the flu every year. It’s not just a ‘bad cold’ - it can make you very ill, requiring hospitalisation and really affects people for weeks afterwards.”
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