The head of Fórsa’s Health and Welfare Division, Éamonn Donnelly, has urged people to get the flu jab as we head into the winter. “A high uptake would not only offer greater immunisation in the community, but also reduce the strain on health services this winter,” he said.

Éamonn stressed the importance of healthcare staff getting the flu jab to protect themselves, their patients and their family. HSE figures show healthcare staff were ten times more likely to get flu than the general population, with statistics showing that one-in-five healthcare workers develop the flu every year.

And he warned against complacency, saying that health officials expected much higher incidence of flu this year. “We saw incredibly low levels last year, because Covid-19 measures like social distancing, mask wearing and travel restrictions were in place. As we begin to ease out of some of these restrictions, let’s remember that there will be lower levels of immunity against the flu among the population,” he said.

The distribution of flu vaccines got underway for people aged 80 and over on 4th October under the HSE’s flu vaccination campaign. Children's flu vaccine will be available from next week.

Several groups are eligible to get a free flu shot including healthcare staff, over-65s, children aged 2-17, pregnant women and people with medical conditions which put them at increased risk from the complications of flu.

The inoculations reduce rates of a range of respiratory illnesses and levels of infection overall and help the health service to cope with the demands of other service requirements.

Official HSE advice stresses the importance of getting both the Covid-19 and flu vaccine, because vaccinating against one of these conditions does not protect against the other. Get a list of recommended vaccination groups HERE.

Representing over 30,000 health workers including health and social care professionals, clerical, administrative, management and technical staff. We consider it one of the many strengths of the union that our members are central to the delivery the full array of health and welfare services in Ireland. To find out more about the range of grades represented, and where they operate within those services, visit our map “At the heart of Health and Welfare.”