HSE Recommended Groups for Influenza Vaccination
People 65 years of age and over
Children aged 2 to 17 years
Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
All those aged 6-23 months and 18-64 years at increased risk of influenza-related complications such as:
- Those with chronic illness:
- chronic heart disease (including acute coronary syndrome)
- chronic liver disease
- chronic neurological disease (where the neurological condition compromises clearance of respiratory secretions)
- chronic renal failure
- chronic respiratory disease (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia)
- diabetes mellitus
- haemoglobinopathies
Those with immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, including asplenia or hyposplenism, and all cancer patients
Those with any condition that can compromise respiratory function (e.g. spinal cord
injury, seizure disorder, or other neuromuscular disorder,) especially those attending
special schools/ day centres
Children and adults with Down syndrome
Children with moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy and intellectual disability
Children on long-term aspirin therapy (because of the risk of Reye syndrome)
Those with morbid obesity (Body mass index >40)
Healthcare workers
Household contacts of people with an underlying chronic health condition or Down syndrome
Out-of-home caregivers for people who have an underlying chronic health condition or have Down syndrome.
(A carer provides a significant ongoing level of care to a person who requires care in the home due to illness or disability, or frailty.
Household contacts of people aged 65 years and older (who do not also have a chronic health condition), pregnant women, children aged 2-17 years, or healthcare workers or carers are not recommended the influenza vaccine.)
People in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl