Influenza (flu) is a very infectious illness caused by the flu virus. Flu spreads easily and infects both children and adults. Children are more likely than adults to get severe complications of flu.
Children who are sick with flu miss days in crèche, childcare and school. They also miss out on their usual activities such as hobbies and sports.
Children aged 2 to 12 can get the nasal flu vaccine for free.
The flu vaccine will help protect your child against flu and reduce the spread of flu to others. For example their brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents.
The flu vaccine for children has been given to children in the US since 2003 and in the UK since 2013.
Please find more detailed information on the HSE website at https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/flu-vaccination/flu-vaccine-for-children/