Flu Vaccinations 2023/2024

Flu (influenza) is a severe infection caused by a virus which infects your lungs and upper airways. The HSE has a webpage to give your further general advice on Flu. 

The Flu vaccine is available annually from your GP surgery or pharmacy. Cystic Fibrosis is a health condition that puts you at higher risk of Flu. The vaccine takes 2 weeks to work and should protect you through the whole flu season. Those with CF are entitled to a free Flu vaccine, along with some other conditions, though you may be charged an administrative fee in some places.

To find a pharmacy providing Flu vaccines please consult the following HSE webpage: Https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/pharmacies-flu/ 

You can also find downloadable details at the bottom of the page. 

Pneumococcal disease vaccinations   

Pneumococcal disease is the term used to describe infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. While the disease is not very common among people with CF, the general health advice is to be immunised and to have booster vaccines (as advised by your clinician).  

The HSE has a webpage to answer your general questions on Pneumococcal disease https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/othervaccines/pneumo/ 

The 2023/2024 HSE seasonal flu vaccination programme will offer two vaccines:

• Quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), nasal application for those  aged 2-12 years and children at-risk of flu aged 13-17 years
• Inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) available for all other eligible populations including those eligible children (aged 2-17 years) with contraindications to LAIV (QIV is licensed for those 6 months of age and older).
• Adjuvanted Quadrivalant Influenza Vaccine (aQIV) for older adults (aged 65 and over) is not available this season. All older adults are recommended QIV this season.

Where can I get the flu vaccine and how much will it cost?

People with CF are regarded among at risk groups eligible for free flu vaccination. You can get your flu vaccine for free now at your GP or your pharmacist.

What is the Pneumoncoccal Vaccine?

Anyone over 65 (and for PWCF adults at any age younger than 65) or those with a long-term medical condition, you should also ask your GP (Doctor) or pharmacist about the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against pneumonia. You usually only need to get pneumococcal vaccine once.

For those with CF in Ireland as detailed above, you need a booster if more than 5 years since your first vaccine- depending on your age you got vaccinated and which vaccine product you received. Discuss with your CF consultant and your local pharmacist.

Will the flu vaccine protect me against COVID-19?

No. The flu vaccine doesn’t protect against COVID-19. It is important to get both the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine/booster. This is because Flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses. Flu and

COVID-19 can both cause serious illness and if you get them you might need to be admitted to hospital. It may be difficult to tell the symptoms of flu apart from the symptoms of COVID-19. If you have had the COVID-19 vaccine you should still get the flu vaccine. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine if it is offered to you. Visit the www.hse.ie for specific information related to boosters.