Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has appealed to “everybody who can” to get the flu vaccine, while confirming adults between 18 and 59 and not in at-risk groups will not get the jab for free. Speaking on RTÉ Radio on Sunday, she said the strain of flu circulating was “very severe”, and particularly virulent among children. The vaccine is free to children aged 0 to 17 years, anyone 60 or older, pregnant women, anyone with underlying conditions and to health workers. “The nasal vaccination has a 14-week expiry date ... Figures showed three quarters of people who are hospitalised with flu had not had the vaccination, she continued.

Source: The Irish Times December 14, 2025 20:19 UTC