Should children living with a pregnant woman or an immunocompromised person have the varicella vaccine? Yes, they should have the vaccine. Vaccinating children with varicella vaccine protects them from the complications of severe varicella infection and also reduces the risk of exposure of non-immune pregnant women, non-immune infants and immunocompromised individuals to varicella infection, which can have serious, life-threatening complications […]
Author: Catherine Jameson
Flu is more than a cold Each year, flu season runs from October to April. This winter, all children aged two to 17 in Ireland will be offered the flu vaccine free of charge. Flu is not the same as a cold; it is a serious and highly infectious illness that can cause severe illness […]
Flu vaccination matters Influenza (flu) is a serious viral illness. In 2024/2025, almost 6,500 people were admitted to hospital with flu and over 300 people died. Healthcare workers are particularly vulnerable to getting flu, and are 10 times more likely to catch the flu than the general public. Complications of flu can include pneumonia and […]
Each winter, healthcare workers have a high risk of exposure to respiratory viruses putting them at risk of illness. This year, the flu vaccine is strongly recommended for all healthcare workers. The flu vaccine provides healthcare workers with the best available protection against the serious complications of flu infection. Based on the advice of the […]
Dr Louise Marron. Every winter, flu returns and flu season lasts from October to May. Flu is a highly infectious virus that spreads quickly. For many people, it can mean a week of aches and exhaustion, but for others, it can lead to severe illness and life-threatening complications like pneumonia or sepsis. In Ireland each […]
COVID-19 is still with us. For people age 60 years and older and anyone with an underlying medical condition or a weak immune system, COVID-19 can lead to severe illness, hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and even death. Vaccination provides the best available protection against serious illness.. This winter, updated Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccines are […]
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommends Varicella vaccine as part of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme (PCIP) to reduce the significant burden of Varicella (Chickenpox) zoster virus morbidity and its complications. The varicella vaccine is recommended at the 12 month-visit. This means that babies eligible for varicella vaccine will begin receiving it from 1st […]