Following EMA approval of the adapted Comirnaty JN.1 vaccine and NIAC recommendations on its use, the Department of Health has asked the HSE to implement the Autumn COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Programme for 2024-25.

Recommended groups for the Autumn COVID-19 booster vaccine programme

• Those aged 60 years and older.

• Those aged 18-59 years living in long term care facilities for older adults.

• Those aged 6 months-59 years with:
  – immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination
  – medical conditions associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation, severe disease or death.

• Health and care workers.

• Pregnant adolescents and adults (recommended all year and not seasonal).
  

Access to a COVID-19 vaccine in Autumn 2024 should be available for those aged 18-59 years who, following discussion of their reasons with a health care provider (e.g., GP, pharmacist or HSE vaccinator), request vaccination.

The recommended minimum interval following infection or vaccination is six months, however shorter intervals down to three months are permissible in certain circumstances e.g. planned immunosuppressive therapy or operational reasons to ensure early protection this autumn if the spring booster was given at least 3 months ago.

Eligible groups for 2024/25 HSE influenza vaccination programme

The following groups are eligible to receive the flu vaccine for free through the HSE
programme.

People who:

• Are 60 years of age and over

• Are a child aged 2 to 17 years

• Are pregnant

• Residents of nursing homes, old people’s homes, and other long stay facilities where rapid spread is likely to follow introduction of infection.

• Healthcare workers.

• Household contacts of people with underlying chronic health conditions or Down syndrome.

• Out-of-home care givers for people who have an underlying chronic health condition or have Down syndrome.

• People in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl.

• All those aged 6-23 months and 18-59 years at increased risk of influenza-related
  complications such as:
  – Those with chronic illness, e.g. chronic heart disease (including acute coronary
  syndrome), chronic liver disease, chronic neurological disease (where the neurological condition compromises clearance of respiratory secretions), chronic renal failure, chronic respiratory disease (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia), diabetes mellitus, or haemoglobinopathies.
  – Those with immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, including asplenia or hyposplenism, and all cancer patients.
  – Those with any condition that can compromise respiratory function (e.g. spinal cord injury, seizure disorder, or other neuromuscular disorder especially those attending special schools/day centres).
  – Children and adults with Down syndrome.
  – Children with moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy and intellectual disability Those with morbid obesity (Body mass index >40).
  – Children on long term aspirin therapy.

NIAC recommend that the COVID-19 autumn booster vaccine can be co-administered with the influenza vaccine, where a person is eligible for both vaccines, to maximise uptake. 

Balrothery Pharmacy also provides influenza vaccines for patients who do not qualify for HSE-eligible vaccine administration. This service is private, €25 and you pay in store.

If you have received a influenza vaccine in 2022/23/24 or at any stage a COVID-19 Vaccination in Balrothery Pharmacy, you can book an appointment over the phone. If not, you must book online. 

If you require a different time, call us to see if we can help.