HSE South West has launched its winter 2025 vaccination campaign for both the flu and Covid-19.
The launch took place at one of several HSE staff winter vaccination clinics across Kerry and Cork, at Killarney Community Hospital this week.
The campaign encourages all those eligible to take up their vaccines as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive says vaccination is safe, effective and the best defence against seasonal illnesses, protecting the individual, their family, and the wider community.
HSE South West experts say getting vaccinated now rather than waiting until later in the winter can help avoid the need for isolating and missing out on social and seasonal get-togethers.
Those recommended to get both flu and Covid-19 vaccines in autumn/winter 2025 are:
• Those aged 60 years and older
• Anyone aged 6 months and older with an underlying medical condition
• In addition, all healthcare workers, all children aged 2-17 years and all pregnant women are recommended to get the flu vaccine.
Both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available from participating GPs and pharmacies and are safe to be given at the same time.
In addition, HSE South West vaccination teams will provide vaccines for people living in residential care facilities and housebound patients.
The HSE has reported that, last winter, almost 6,500 people were hospitalised with flu while more than 2,000 people were hospitalised with COVID-19.
