- 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 sepsis. Healthcare workers who are aged 60 and older or who have underlying medical risk factors are particularly at risk of complications, but even if you are otherwise healthy, flu can be serious. Therefore, all healthcare workers are recommended to get a flu vaccine. As well as protecting healthcare workers themselves, vaccination helps to protect others and reduces the chances of spreading flu to family members, colleagues, and patients, many of whom may be more vulnerable to serious complications. It also reduces the likelihood of flu outbreaks in healthcare settings.
- Flu vaccination is the best protection
The flu vaccine provides healthcare workers with the best available protection against the serious complications of flu. As healthcare workers, we will be exposed to flu this winter. Take this opportunity to protect yourself, your loved ones and those you care for by getting vaccinated.
- Protecting pregnant healthcare workers and their babies from flu
Flu infection during pregnancy can be more severe and can lead to serious illness and complications for mothers and babies. The flu vaccine is strongly recommended for all pregnant healthcare workers, offering protection to both the mother and her newborn baby during the early months of life. The flu vaccine is very safe in pregnancy.
- Flu vaccines are safe and effective
The HSE only uses vaccines that meet strict standards for safety and effectiveness, and are licensed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). This winter, two flu vaccines will be available for adults: Vaxigrip (Sanofi) and Influvac (Viatris). These vaccines target the flu strains that are expected to circulate, as advised by the World Health Organization (WHO).
It is quick and easy to get vaccinated. The side effects are usually mild, for example soreness at the injection site, sore muscles or tiredness. Because flu infection can cause serious illness, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risk of side effects.
The effectiveness of the flu vaccine at protecting against infection can vary between individuals and the effectiveness depends on the strain of flu that circulates during the flu season. However, if people who have been vaccinated get the flu, their symptoms will be milder and they will have a faster recovery than if they had not been vaccinated.
The flu vaccine is not a live vaccine. The flu vaccine cannot cause flu. However, the vaccine takes two weeks to work, so to get the best available protection, the vaccine should be given early in the flu season before the flu virus begins to circulate in the population and in healthcare settings.
- Stay Informed and be part of the solution
Apart from clean water, vaccines have saved more lives than any other public health intervention. Now more than ever, getting vaccinated is a simple but powerful act of care, for yourself and those around you.
Getting vaccinated will reduce your risk of getting flu and your risk of getting seriously unwell with it. However, if you develop flu-like symptoms, you should stay at home, do not go to work, and if you are unwell you should seek advice from your GP.
All healthcare workers across the system, including nurses, doctors, porters, carers and administrative staff are recommended to get the flu vaccine.
Where can healthcare workers get vaccinated?
The flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given together or given separately. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available free of charge for all healthcare workers as part of the HSE’s 2025/2026 Winter Vaccination Programme. Vaccines may be available at your workplace, and are available from GPs and pharmacies. Clinic details will be listed on HSE.ie/staffclinics from October.
Learn more and access staff clinic details at HSE.ie/staffclinics or hse.ie/flu.
You can also complete the 15-minute HSeLanD module: Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines for Healthcare Workers, Protect Yourself, Protect Others at https://www.hseland.ie/