Flu Vaccinations at Life Pharmacy

Stay protected this winter with your flu vaccine.

The flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your chances of catching flu and spreading it to others. It’s quick, safe, and available in Life pharmacies from early October.

You can book online in advance or walk in to your local Life pharmacy.

Who can get the flu vaccine for free?

The flu vaccine is free through the HSE if you are in one of these groups:

• Aged 60 years and older
• Adults 18–59 with certain long-term health conditions (heart, lung, liver, kidney, neurological, diabetes, weakened immune system, BMI ≥40)
• All pregnant women (any stage)
• Healthcare workers
• Carers and household contacts of people at increased risk
• Residents in long-term care facilities
• People in regular contact with poultry, pigs, or waterfowl

For Full eligibility criteria, check online with the HSE: click here

Not eligible? You can still protect yourself: Private flu vaccine €35 (ages 18–59, not HSE-eligible).

Possible side effects

Most are mild and short-lived:

• Soreness, redness or swelling where the injection was given
• Headache, tiredness, muscle aches
• Mild fever or chills for a day or two

Serious side effects are very rare. If you experience difficulty breathing, facial swelling, or severe reaction, seek medical help immediately.

What about children?

Children aged 2–17 years are offered the nasal spray flu vaccine free through the HSE. It’s quick, needle-free and helps protect families and communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I get the flu vaccine?

October–November gives the best protection, but you can get it anytime during flu season.

Can I get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines together?

Yes, they can be given at the same time.

Can the flu vaccine give me flu?

No. The injection does not contain live flu virus and cannot give you flu.

Do I need it every year?

Yes. Protection fades over time and flu strains change annually.

Can I get vaccinated if I’m on blood thinners?

Yes, but you may bruise more easily at the injection site.

Is it safe while breastfeeding?

Yes, the flu vaccine is safe during breastfeeding.

Flu Vaccine Patient Information Leaflets (PILs)

For full details on benefits, risks and side effects, you can read the official PILs for this season’s flu vaccines:

• Vaxigrip Vaccinate (Split Viron Inactivated) click here
• Influvac Tetra Vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated) click here
• Fluenz Tetra nasal spray (For 2-17 years old only) click here

Book or visit us today

• Book Adult Flu Vaccine above
• Or walk into your nearest Life pharmacy – no appointment needed (subject to availability).
• Find your nearest Life here.

Flu Vaccination Service

Stay Protected Against the Flu Year-Round

Although the 2024/2025 flu vaccination campaign concluded on February 28th, 2025, Life Pharmacy remains committed to your health and well-being. The next flu vaccination season is anticipated to commence in September/October 2025.

Why Get the Flu Vaccine?

• Protect Yourself – The flu vaccine reduces your risk of contracting the flu and its potential complications.
• Prevent Severe Illness – Flu can lead to serious health issues, especially in high-risk groups.
• Safeguard Loved Ones – Vaccination helps prevent the spread of flu to vulnerable individuals in your community.
• Updated Protection – Each year's vaccine is formulated to target the most prevalent flu strains.

Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?

The flu vaccine is traditionally recommended annually for:

• Adults aged 65 and over
• Children aged 2 to 17 years
• Individuals with long-term health conditions, such as:
• Chronic heart, liver, kidney, or respiratory diseases
• Diabetes
• Neurological disorders
• Pregnant individuals
• Healthcare workers and carers
• Anyone wishing to reduce their risk of flu

What to Expect When the Flu Vaccine Becomes Available

Once the 2025 flu vaccination season begins:

• Booking Appointments: You can schedule your flu vaccination online or by visiting a participating Life Pharmacy.
• Vaccination Process: Our trained pharmacists will administer the vaccine efficiently, ensuring your comfort and safety.
• Post-Vaccination Care: Mild side effects like soreness at the injection site or a slight fever may occur but typically resolve quickly.

Onsite Flu Vaccination Programme for National Schools

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommends influenza (flu) vaccination for all children aged 2-17 years. A key HSE goal is to increase the overall uptake of flu vaccinations in this age group. Children play a significant role in the transmission of flu and may pose a risk to those at higher risk of complications, including:

• The elderly
• Pregnant individuals
• Children with underlying health conditions

Children are offered a nasal spray vaccine, which is quick, painless, and more effective than an injected vaccine.

How It Works:

• School-based vaccination increases uptake and ensures a successful flu vaccine campaign, helping protect vulnerable members of our community.
• All our experienced vaccinators are qualified pharmacists with specialist training.
• We handle all appointments, paperwork, and consent forms through our online portal.
• Schools will have a dedicated coordinator as a single point of contact to manage queries from parents and staff.

To find out more please email our team.

Corporate Business Winter Flu Vaccination

For businesses looking to protect their workforce, Life Pharmacy offers an onsite flu vaccination programme tailored for corporate teams.

To find out more please email our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the next flu vaccines be available?

The upcoming flu vaccination campaign is expected to start in September/October 2025.

Can I get the flu vaccine now?

The flu vaccine is typically available during the annual flu season. While the current campaign has ended, Life Pharmacy will resume flu vaccinations later this year.

Do I need a flu vaccine every year?

Yes, annual vaccination is recommended as flu strains can change, and immunity from the vaccine decreases over time.

How do I book an appointment?

Once the new flu vaccination campaign starts, online booking will be available through our website

Note: The information provided here is based on current guidelines and may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the HSE website or contact your local Life Pharmacy.

Flu Vaccine Update

The 2023 Flu vaccination services is available from September. Please check back for available appointments.

How It Works

What is seasonal flu (influenza)?

Flu is a common infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by the flu virus. It usually occurs during the winter months. For most people, it is an unpleasant but not a life-threatening illness.

What is the flu vaccine and how does it work? 

There are a number of different variations of the flu virus in circulation each year and the type of flu virus in circulation can change each year. This is why a new flu vaccine needs to be given every year. The flu vaccine helps your immune system to produce antibodies to fight the flu virus. When someone who has been vaccinated comes into contact with the virus, these antibodies attack the virus preventing infection.

Who should get the flu vaccine?

Anyone over the age of 2 is eligible to get the vaccine at your Life Pharmacy. For certain ‘at-risk’ groups, the flu vaccine is highly recommended.

The vaccine is FREE to everyone in the at-risk groups listed below:

• All those aged 60 years and over
• All children aged 2-17 inclusive
• All pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy
• Chronic respiratory disease including cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma, COPD
• Chronic heart, renal (kidney) or liver disease
• Chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Haemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell anemia
• Hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system etc.
• Cancer patients
• Residents of nursing homes and long stay institutions
• Children with conditions that compromise respiratory function eg. spinal cord injury, seizure or other neuromuscular disorder
• Morbid obesity ie. Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40
• Those who are immunosuppressed due to disease or treatment including those with missing or non-functioning spleens
• Healthcare workers
• Carers of persons with increased medical risk
• Household contacts of persons with increased medical risk
• People who have close, regular contact with pigs, poultry or water fowl
• Down Syndrome
• Children on long-term aspirin therapy

Eligibility criteria are subject to change by the HSE, ask in store for details.

Who is the vaccine not suitable for?

• Those with a history of severe allergic reactions to a previous dose of the vaccine or any of its ingredients.
• Any one on certain combinations of medicines that affect the immune system.

How can your Life Pharmacist help?

Your Life Pharmacy Team can provide vaccination in our private consultation room in
the pharmacy. They can then either give you the vaccine or book you in for an appointment at a
time that suits.

What can I expect when I get the vaccine?

You will be protected about two weeks after having the vaccine. The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu.

There is still a small chance of you catching the flu but it is likely that symptoms won’t be as severe if you are vaccinated

Are there any side effects?

The side effects are usually very mild with some people experiencing a mild fever, feel tired or aches and pains. There can also be soreness, redness or swelling at the site of the injection.

In very rare cases severe allergic reactions can occur. We are prepared to deal with these and ask you to remain in the pharmacy for 15 minutes after your vaccination, in case you have any immediate side effects.

Free Flu Nasal Spray for Children

All Children aged 2-17 years are eligible for a Free Flu Nasal Spray. The flu vaccine helps to protect children against flu. Most children who get the flu have mild symptoms. But children and young people with chronic health conditions are at risk of serious complications from flu. In the last 10 years in Ireland, almost 5,000 children were admitted to hospital with complications of flu. Almost 200 children had treatment in intensive care and 40 children died. Children can catch and spread flu easily. The children's flu vaccine can help to prevent the spread of flu in schools and at home. This keeps everyone safe.

To find out more about the Flu Vaccine, visit your local Life Pharmacy. 

How do I book an appointment?

Please click the booking tool above. If there is no availability please check back soon.

Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) Sanofi

Patient Information Leaflet

Summary of Product Characteristics

Influvac Tetra Vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated)

Patient Information Leaflet

Summary of Product Characteristics

Fluenz Tetra nasal spray (For 2-17 years old only)

Patient Information Leaflet

Summary of Product Characteristics

Flu Vaccination

The seasonal flu, also known as influenza, is a highly infectious illness of the upper respiratory tract caused by the flu virus. The flu affects people of all ages and usually occurs during the winter months, which is why it is called the seasonal flu. For many, the flu is an unpleasant experience but not a life-threatening illness. However, there are some groups that are more at risk of developing serious and sometimes life-threatening infections than others. The groups that are most at risk are people over the age of 65, anyone with a long-term medical condition and the immunocompromised.

What are the symptoms?

The seasonal flu initially infects your lungs and upper airways which causes a rise in temperature and a combination of chills and sweats. Other symptoms may include aching muscles, headaches, and a persistent cough. You may also feel nauseous, lose your appetite and have difficulty sleeping. These symptoms usually peak after two to three days but you should start feeling better after five to eight days.

What is the flu vaccine and how does it work?

Each year, there’s several different strain variations of the flu virus in circulation. A new flu vaccine needs to be given every year as the type of flu virus in circulation can change each year. The flu vaccine works by helping your immune system to produce antibodies to fight the influenza virus. If you are vaccinated and come into contact with someone who has the virus, the antibodies you have produced will attack the virus thus helping to prevent infection. If you are at risk, it is important to get the vaccination every year, as the influenza strain can differ from year to year.

Advice

Life Pharmacy provides valuable information and services to better inform consumers in their health decisions. All Life Pharmacies offer an in-store consultation room and health screenings for common conditions including blood pressure, cholesterol and weight management.

How do I book an appointment?

Please click the above booking tool. If there is no availability please check back soon.