A series of walk-in flu vaccination clinics for 2 to 17 year olds will also be operating tomorrow and on Friday.
The HSE says there's been a rise in flu cases in recent weeks and is appealing to parents to consider getting their child vaccinated.
Clinics offering the nasal spray vaccine are operating across eight counties, including Cork - with details of times and locations available on the HSE's website.
Nemo Rangers GAA Club, Mount Vernon Crescent, Ballinlough, Cork, T12 R2PC
Thursday, December 28th: 10am-2pm
Newtown Vaccination Centre, Newtown, Bantry, Co. Cork, P75 H304
Friday, 29th December: 10am-3pm
Children are given the nasal vaccine by spraying the vaccine once into each nostril. The HSE says it is a quick and painless spray. Children can breathe normally and many of them report that it tickles when being given.
Dr Nicola Murphy, Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine said: "Walk-in flu vaccination clinics for children are operating around the country today.
A series of walk-in clinics for 2 to 17 year olds will also be operating tomorrow and on Friday. The HSE says there's been a rise in flu cases in recent weeks and is appealing to parents to consider getting their child vaccinated. Clinics offering the nasal spray vaccine are operating across eight counties, including Dublin, Meath, Kildare, and Limerick - with details of times and locations available on the HSE's website. Flu can cause serious illness and children are twice as likely to contract flu and remain infectious for longer when compared with adults. They are also at higher risk of severe illness, complications and hospitalisation. "Young children, in particular, are more likely than adults to be very sick and admitted to hospital because of flu. A study carried out in the UK has shown that there was a substantial reduction in the number of children who became ill and were hospitalised with flu in regions where the flu vaccine was given to primary school children. There was also an overall reduction of over half in the number of adults going to see their GP with the flu as a result of primary school children being vaccinated. It is safe, effective and free of charge for those who are eligible. Vaccinating children protects them – and it also protects their siblings, parents, grandparents and those who are vulnerable."
Symptoms of flu in children can include:
- High temperature
- Muscle pains
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness.
For more information and a full clinic list, visit hse.ie/fluclinics
