This season’s vaccination campaign will begin on Monday September 25th
Fortune’s Pharmacy participates in the annual Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme and this year we will be providing the flu vaccine to patients aged 6 months and over. With the ongoing COVID-19 situation it is more important than ever to get the flu jab this year.
Do I need to get the Flu Jab?
While everyone should consider getting the flu jab, it is especially important for you if you, or someone you care for,
- are aged 65 and over
- have a chronic illness requiring regular follow up, e.g. chronic respiratory disease including cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), moderate or severe asthma, chronic heart disease including acute coronary syndrome, chronic neurological disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic liver disease, chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system, and so on
- have an haemoglobinopathy
- are immunosuppressed due to disease or treatment including those with missing or non-functioning spleen
- are a cancer patient (some cancer patients will require 2 doses)
- have Down Syndrome
- have a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40
- are pregnant (the vaccine can be given at any stage)
- are resident in a nursing homes or other long stay institution
- are a healthcare worker
- are a carer (a carer is described as someone who is providing an ongoing significant level of care to a person who is in need of care in he home due to illness, disability or frailty, those in receipt of a carer’s allowance, for example.
- are a household contact of persons in increased medical risk categories
- are in regular close contact with poultry, water fowl or pigs
- are a child aged 2 to 12 years – please see our flu vaccine for children page.
The 2023/2024 campaign will run from September 2023 to April 2024. You can get the flu jab at anytime during the campaign but getting it as early as possible will lessen your chances of getting the flu during the Winter. We will need the consent of a parent or guardian for patients aged between 6 months and 16 years.
We also provide a shingles and pneumococcal disease vaccination service. We are still providing the COVID-19 vaccine to clients aged 12 years and over – primary and booster vaccines.
Is there a charge?
In the 2023/2024 season the vaccine is completely free to all patients aged 6 months and over who are in a risk category. Patients aged between 2 and 12 years receive the vaccine as a nasal spray. All other patients receive the vaccine as an injection.
Patients who are not in a risk category need to pay a fee.
What to I need to bring with me?
If you are an Irish national please bring your PPS Number with you when attending for your vaccination. This is a requirement of the Health Services Executive (HSE). We will also need details of your Medical Card, GP Visit Card, or Health Amendment Act Card, if you have one. Don’t forget that a parent or guardian will need to accompany any child aged between 2 months and 16 years.
We will need to gain access to the entire of your arm, right up to the top of the shoulder, so make sure to wear something appropriate.
This years flu vaccine will provide protection against four strains of flu which includes H1N1 or swine flu.
Can I get a COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time?
We can give a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same time. We will need to use different limbs.
Anything else I need to know?
If you are taking the blood thinner warfarin, we recommend that you wait until 3 or 4 days before your next INR check before getting your flu jab or arrange to have an INR check done 3 to 4 days after your jab.
COVID-19 Precautions
We request that you do not attend for a flu vaccine if any of the following currently apply
- You have a raised temperature
- You, or anybody from your household, have returned from abroad, including the UK, within the last 14 days
- You have a cough, shortness of breath or any respiratory symptoms
- You have a loss of taste or smell
- You have a diagnosis of COVID-19 or are waiting for a test result
- You are a close contact of someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is waiting for a test result
For further information about vaccines visit www.immunisation.ie