Eligible groups for 2025/2026 HSE influenza vaccination programme

• All aged 60 years and older
   

• All those aged 18 years and older living in residential care facilities for older people and other long stay facilities where rapid spread is likely to follow the introduction of infection
   

• All aged 6 months and older who is at increased risk of influenza related complications: o Cancer, Chronic heart disease, Chronic kidney disease, Chronic liver disease, Chronic neurological disease, Chronic respiratory disease, Diabetes and other metabolic disorders, including inherited metabolic disorders, Haemoglobinopathies, immunocompromise due to disease or treatment, Body mass index ≥ 40kg/m2, Serious mental health conditions, Children and adults with Down syndrome, Children with moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorders, Children on long term aspirin therapy
   

• All children and young people aged 2 to 17 years
   

• All healthcare workers
   

• All pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)
   

• Carers and household contacts of people at increased risk of influenza related complications
   

• People with close, regular contact with pigs, poultry or water fowl.​

​

For information on the children's flu vaccine, see Childhood Care & Immunisations.

​​

 

Eligible groups for 2025/2026 HSE Covid-19 vaccination programme

• All aged 60 years and older • All aged 18 years and older living in a long term care facility for older adults.
   

• All aged 6 months and older with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination.
   

• All aged 6 months and older with a medical condition associated with a higher risk of hospitalisation, severe disease or death due to COVID-19: o Cancer, Chronic heart disease, Chronic kidney disease, Chronic liver disease, Chronic neurological disease, Chronic respiratory disease, Diabetes and other metabolic disorders, including inherited metabolic disorders, Haemoglobinopathies, Body mass index ≥ 40kg/m2, Serious mental health conditions, Children and adults with Down syndrome, Children with moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorders Healthcare workers and pregnant women who are in the groups listed above are recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine in autumn/winter 2025/2026. Anyone aged over 18 years who is not in any of the groups listed above, can get a COVID-19 vaccine in autumn/winter 2025/2026 if they choose to, following discussion with a healthcare provider. There should be at least a 3 month interval between the last COVID-19 vaccine or the last COVID-19 infection before getting vaccinated.

​

​

Useful Links on Flu Vaccines

• What is flu?

• Flu vaccine for children

• Flu vaccine during pregnancy

• Flu vaccine for healthcare workers

• Under the weather: Flu

​

​

Pneumococcal Vaccine

Pneumococcal disease is a very serious disease. It is a major cause of illness and death, particularly amongst the very young. Those with the following conditions should be vaccinated with PPV23.

​

Everybody aged 65 years and over and everybody aged 2 years and over with ;

• Diabetes

• Chronic lung, heart, liver, or kidney disease

• Chronic neurological disease

• Children aged over 2 years and under 5 years of age with a history of invasive pneumococcal disease

• Coeliac disease

• Down Syndrome

• Cochlear implants or are about to get cochlear implants

• Immune deficiency because of a disease or treatment, including cancer patients

• HIV infection

• Absent spleen or a non-functioning spleen

• CSF leaks, either congenital or complicating skull fractures or neurosurgery

• Intracranial shunt.

 

PPV23 vaccination is not recommended for healthy children and adults as they are at low risk of pneumococcal disease​