HSE announces Laois flu vaccination clinic in Portlaoise for children

The HSE has announced a free walk in clinic in Portlaoise for their nasal spray flu vaccination programme for children aged 2-17 years.

The clinic will take place at Laois Offaly Vaccination Base, St.Fintans Campus, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois, R32 ED81 on Saturday, 18th January from 10am to 4pm. Flu is circulating widely in communities at the moment and children are twice as likely as adults to catch it. Last year, more than 1,000 children were hospitalised with flu.

Eileen Whelan, Regional Director of Nursing and Midwifery for the HSE Dublin and Midlands said: “Bring your children for their flu vaccine. It is a quick and painless nasal spray vaccine, available free for children aged 2 to 17 at our walk-in clinic or from participating GPs and pharmacies. It helps protect your children from getting seriously ill with the flu, as well as helping to protect babies, grandparents and other vulnerable family members.”

While most children who catch flu have mild symptoms, flu can sometimes lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis in some children. Children, especially young children, are also more likely than adults to get severe complications of flu.

Symptoms of flu in children can include: high temperature; muscle pains;  headache; extreme tiredness. For more information about the children’s nasal flu vaccine visit hse.ie/flu.