Yes – we will administer the vaccines into different limbs, i.e. the left and the right arm to reduce the risk of side effects.

The Flu vaccine and Covid-19 booster vaccine both start to work within 2 weeks. Please note that you may still contact both of these viruses despite being vaccinated however your symptoms are likely to be mild.

Some people are more at risk of getting complications if they catch flu.

You can get the flu vaccine for free if you:

• are 65 years of age and over
• are pregnant
• are a child aged 2 to 12 years 
• are an adult or child aged 6 months or older with a long-term health condition
• were born with Down syndrome
• live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility

Some people should get the vaccine to protect themselves, their families and those they care for.

These include those who:

• work in healthcare
• only household contacts or carers of people who have an underlying chronic health condition or have Down syndrome are eligible to receive an influenza vaccine. A carer is described as someone who is providing an ongoing significant level of care to a person who is in need of care in the home due to illness or disability or frailty e.g., those in receipt of a carer's allowance.
• People who are in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl should get the flu vaccine. 

Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to help protect yourself from getting the flu.

Flu vaccines usually reduce the risk of infection by 40-60%.

Flu vaccines also reduce:

• the severity of illness
• complications from influenza
• flu-related hospitalisations
• admissions to critical care units

Flu vaccines have been given to millions of people worldwide for over 60 years, including pregnant women. Reactions to the vaccine are generally mild.

The most common side effects are mild and include soreness, redness or swelling where the injection was given. Headache, fever, aches, drowsiness, and tiredness may occur. You may have mild sweating and shivering as your immune system responds to the vaccine. This is not flu and will pass in a day or so.

Serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction are rare.

In very rare cases Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been reported (Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a condition that affects the nerves in the body. It causes nerve inflammation and can result in pain, numbness, muscle weakness and difficulty walking). However, the risk of GBS following flu is significantly greater than that following the flu vaccine.

Yes, however, there will be a charge for this service.

The Flu vaccine will be provided for free if you fall into an at-risk category. If you don’t fall into one of these categories, the cost is €35. The Covid-19 booster vaccine is free of charge.

Visit our website to book your vaccine with your chosen store. Once you make your booking you will receive a booking confirmation via email and text. We offer the Flu vaccine in all 31 McCabes Pharmacies and the Covid-19 booster vaccine in select stores. See booking options for stores where you can receive both.

Anyone from the age of 12 and over can receive their 1st Booster Dose.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee has advised that a second booster dose of an mRNA vaccine is recommended to the
following groups, who have already completed their primary course and first booster dose with any Covid-19 vaccine type.

You can get your second booster dose if you are:

• Age 18 to 64
• 12 or older with a condition that puts you are high risk of serious illness from COVID-19, for example, diabetes, asthma or heart disease
• Pregnant (from 16 weeks)
• A healthcare worker – bring your work ID or a letter as proof of employment

There must be at least a six month interval since your previous vaccine dose.

If you have not already had your second booster, you can still get one if you are aged:

• 65 or older
• 12 or older with a weak immune system

For these individuals there must be at least 4
months (120 days) since previous vaccine dose or SARS-CoV-2 infection.