Chief Medical Officer Encouraging Uptake Of Covid-19 And Flu Vaccines

Tuesday, 31 October 2023 09:30

There are 40 pharmacies in the midlands offering Covid vaccines.

The Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer are encouraging everyone who is eligible to get their ‘flu and COVID-19 vaccines this winter season.

There are 40 pharmacies around the midlands offering a Covid vaccine - 19 in Westmeath, 13 in Offaly and eight in Laois.

The ‘flu vaccine is available free of charge for:

All persons aged 65 years and over;

Children aged 2 to 12 and Pregnant individuals;

Patients aged 6-23 months and 13 - 64 years at increased risk of flu-related complications can also avail as can residents of Nursing Homes and long-stay facilities;

The flu and Covid vaccines are also available to Healthcare workers and Household contacts of people with underlying conditions.

Meanwhile COVID-19 boosters are available for:

those aged 50 years and older

persons aged 5-49 years with medical conditions associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization.

Health and care workers as well as Pregnant persons can also avail of the boosters, provided it is more than six months since their previous vaccine or COVID-19 infection.

Children who missed out on the ‘flu vaccine in school can still get access the Covid boosters through GPs and pharmacies.