Each winter, healthcare workers have a high risk of exposure to respiratory viruses such as flu and COVID-19.
If you are a healthcare worker, these highly infectious viruses can put you at risk of illness.
Get your flu vaccine this autumn or winter
The flu vaccine is strongly recommended for all healthcare workers.
The flu vaccine will provide you with the best available protection against the serious complications of flu.
Getting the flu vaccine also reduces reduces the chances of you spreading flu to your family, colleagues and patients. Some people are more vulnerable to serious complications from flu than others.
The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu.
It takes 2 weeks to develop immunity after vaccination. It’s possible to get flu if you are exposed to the virus during this time.
Get your flu vaccine as soon as possible to protect yourself, before flu begins to spread.
COVID-19 vaccine for healthcare workers
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommends you get a COVID-19 vaccine this autumn or winter if you:
- are age 60 or older
- have an underlying health condition, including a weak immune system, and are at risk of severe COVID-19 infection
If you are a healthcare worker, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine this autumn or winter, if you choose to.
Do not get a COVID-19 vaccine if you had the vaccine or COVID-19 infection within the last 3 months.
People at higher risk from COVID-19
Weak immune system and COVID-19 vaccination
Pregnant healthcare workers
The flu vaccine is recommended for all pregnant women and it can be given at any stage in pregnancy.
COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy
Getting your vaccine
As a healthcare worker, you can get your flu and covid vaccines for free. They may be available in your workplace or from participating GPs and pharmacies.
You can get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time or separately.
Find your local flu and COVID-19 staff vaccination clinic
More resources
More information is available for healthcare workers at the links below:
- Seasonal Influenza vaccination programme
- Seasonal flu programme leaflet (PDF, 192 KB, 12 pages)
- Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine leaflet (PDF, 213 KB, 12 pages)
The National Immunisation Office has also developed e-learning modules about flu and COVID-19 vaccines at hseland.ie