Preventative action: Free flu vaccine for children

With 600,000 doses of the children’s flu vaccine purchased by the HSE, the rationale is if children don’t catch flu, they can’t spread it.

Megan Ayres (9) and Evelyn Ayres (6) from Co Meath, who got their flu vaccine to protect themselves and their grandmother. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

FOR  the first time in Ireland, all children aged between two and 12 can get the nasal flu vaccine for free.

An estimated 20% to 30% of children get flu every year globally and it can be serious, says Dr Lucy Jessop, director of public health at the National Immunisation Office.