Flu Vaccine Portlaoise 2026/27 | Free for 60+, Book Online

Flu vaccine appointments start on 5 November. Fill in the form now to get your time.

Book your free HSE flu vaccine in Portlaoise

Free from the HSE if you are 60 or over, aged 2 to 17, pregnant or in another at-risk group, and over 65s are offered the enhanced flu vaccine. Fill in the form now and we will text or WhatsApp you a time from 5 November.

Free if eligible
About 3 minutes
COVID-19 same visit

About you - Step 1 of 5

Appointments from 5 November. Fill in this form and we will text or WhatsApp you a time.

Full name of the person being vaccinated *

First

Last

Date of birth *

Mobile number *

We confirm your appointment by text or WhatsApp.

Email address *

Home address and Eircode *

PPS number

Needed to record a free HSE vaccine. Optional here, you can give it at your appointment instead.

Your GP name and practice (optional)

Who is this booking for? *

Myself
My child (aged 2 to 17)
Someone I care for

Parent, guardian or carer, your full name *

First

Last

Tick everything that applies, these groups get the flu vaccine free from the HSE *

Aged 65 or over
Aged 60 to 64
Pregnant
A long-term condition (heart, lung incl. asthma, diabetes, kidney, liver, neurological, weakened immune system)
Healthcare worker
Carer, or living with someone at high risk
BMI of 40 or over
A child aged 2 to 17 (nasal spray vaccine)
Living in a nursing home or long-stay care
None of these, I would like the vaccine privately

Aged 65 or over? You get the enhanced flu vaccine this year. The HSE recommends the adjuvanted (higher-response) flu vaccine for everyone 65 and over, it prompts a stronger immune response than the standard vaccine. It is free, it is the one we will give you, and there is nothing extra to do. A slightly sore arm for a day or two is more common with it; that is normal.

A high-dose for

Would you also like the COVID-19 autumn vaccine at the same visit, if you are eligible? *

Yes please
No thanks
Not sure, I will ask the pharmacist

Answer for the person being vaccinated. A "yes" does not necessarily mean you cannot have the vaccine, it just tells the pharmacist what to check with you.

Feeling unwell or have a temperature today? *

Ever had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a flu vaccine or to any vaccine ingredient? *

Any other severe allergy, for example anaphylaxis to a food, latex or a medicine? *

Please tell us what you are allergic to and what happened *

A bleeding disorder, or taking a blood thinner (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban)? *

Ever had Guillain-Barré syndrome? *

Pregnant or breastfeeding? *

A weakened immune system, or on treatment that affects it (chemotherapy, high-dose steroids, biologic medicines, a transplant)? *

Had any other vaccine in the last 14 days? *

Which vaccine, and when? *

Current medicines and medical conditions (optional, but it helps us)

A few extra questions for the children's nasal spray vaccine

Severe asthma, or wheezing or needing extra inhaler in the last 72 hours? *

Takes aspirin or a salicylate medicine regularly? *

Lives with, or cares for, someone with a severely weakened immune system? *

A severe egg allergy that needed hospital treatment? *

Before you consent, the essentials: the flu vaccine cannot give you flu. The most common effects are a sore arm, tiredness or mild aches for a day or two. Serious reactions are very rare and our pharmacists are trained and equipped to treat them, you will be asked to stay for 15 minutes afterwards. Full information: HSE flu vaccine guide.

Your answers go to our pharmacy team only. For a free HSE vaccine we must record it with the HSE and let your GP know; that is the only sharing we do.

I have read the information about the flu vaccine (and the nasal spray vaccine, if this is for a child) and my questions have been answered *

I have read the information about the flu vaccine (and the nasal spray vaccine, if this is for a child) and my questions have been answered

I consent to the flu vaccine being given to me, or to the child or person named above for whom I am responsible *

I consent to the flu vaccine being given to me, or to the child or person named above for whom I am responsible

I consent to Laois Pharmacy recording the vaccination and sharing it with the HSE and my GP as required *

I consent to Laois Pharmacy recording the vaccination and sharing it with the HSE and my GP as required

I have read the Laois Pharmacy privacy notice and understand how my information is used *

I have read the Laois Pharmacy privacy notice and understand how my information is used

Type your full name as your signature *

Typing your name here acts as your signature. Parent or guardian signs for a child.

Sign here *

Clear Signature

Sign with your finger on a phone or tablet, or with your mouse on a computer. A parent or guardian signs for a child.

How would you like to come in? *

Book me in, contact me with a time when a vaccine is available
Contact me when walk-ins are open

Preferred date *

Appointments start on 5 November. We will text or WhatsApp you to confirm your time, or offer the next free time.

Preferred time *

Anything else we should know? (optional)

Who gets the free HSE flu vaccine in 2026/27

The vaccine and the consultation are free if you are:

aged 60 or over
aged 2 to 17 (nasal spray)
pregnant, at any stage
aged 6 months or over with a long-term condition, such as heart, lung (including moderate or severe asthma), kidney, liver or neurological disease, diabetes, cancer, a weakened immune system, Down syndrome, sickle cell or thalassaemia, a serious mental health condition or a BMI of 40 or more
a healthcare worker
a carer for, or living with, someone with a long-term condition
living in a nursing home or long-stay care
in regular close contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl, for example on a farm

See the full list on the HSE website, or read the HSE flu vaccine guide and our flu vaccine guide for Ireland.

What is the enhanced flu vaccine for over-65s?

Everyone aged 65 and over is offered the enhanced (adjuvanted) flu vaccine. As we get older, the immune system may not respond as well to the standard vaccine, and the enhanced vaccine contains an extra ingredient that increases the immune response. It is free, it is one dose and there is nothing extra to arrange.

A sore arm or mild aches for a day or two are a little more common than with the standard vaccine. People aged 60 to 64 get the standard flu vaccine, also free.

Not in a free group: private flu vaccine

If you are 18 to 59 and not in one of the free groups, the HSE does not cover you this season. We do not have private flu vaccines at the moment, because supply this season has gone to the HSE programme first. Fill in the form, tick None of these, and we will contact you if private stock arrives.

Can my child get the nasal spray flu vaccine at the pharmacy?

Children aged 2 to 17 get the nasal spray flu vaccine free at the pharmacy, with no needle. A parent or legal guardian fills in the form and comes with children under 16. Young people aged 16 or 17 can consent for themselves.

A small number of children cannot have the spray for medical reasons. The pharmacist may offer the injection instead, or refer you to your GP. Some children with a long-term condition need 2 doses, 4 weeks apart. Children under 2 with a long-term condition: please call us or ask your GP.

On the day, tell the pharmacist if your child has a blocked nose, has been wheezy or needed their inhaler more than usual in the last 3 days, or has taken flu antiviral medicine in the last 2 days. Do not give your child aspirin for 4 weeks after the nasal spray unless a doctor tells you to.

What happens at the pharmacy

Come to Laois Pharmacy, Lyster Square, Portlaoise at your time and tell us your form is done. Bring photo ID, and your PPS number if it is not in the form. If anything has changed since you filled in the form, for example you feel unwell, have a temperature or have started a new medicine, tell the pharmacist.

The pharmacist checks your answers with you, gives the vaccine in your upper arm (or the nasal spray for children) and asks you to stay for 15 minutes. If you asked for the COVID-19 vaccine too, the pharmacist does a short separate check for it and gives it in the other arm at the same visit. Allow about 20 minutes in all.

Flu vaccine questions

Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in?

Please book. Our flu vaccine appointments start on 5 November, and walk-ins may not be possible. Fill in the form now and we will text or WhatsApp you a time from 5 November. Doing the form first also saves paperwork on the day.

Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?

Yes. If you are recommended a COVID-19 vaccine, you can have both at the same visit, one in each arm. You may get slightly more mild side effects, such as a sore arm, tiredness or a headache. Children aged 2 to 4 need 14 days between the two vaccines. Tick yes in the form and the pharmacist will do a short check for the COVID-19 vaccine on the day.

I am pregnant, should I get it?

Yes. The flu vaccine is recommended and free at any stage of pregnancy, in every pregnancy. It also helps protect your baby in the first months after birth.

Do I need my PPS number?

Yes. The HSE needs a valid PPS number for every free flu vaccine. Put it in the form or bring it with you, and bring photo ID. If you do not have a PPS number, contact us before you come in.

When should I get the flu vaccine?

As soon as it is available for you. It starts to work after about 2 weeks, and it can still be given up to the end of April.

Does the flu vaccine give you the flu?

No. The flu vaccine cannot give you flu. Some people get a sore arm, a headache, tiredness, aches or a mild temperature for a day or two. Children may get a runny or blocked nose after the nasal spray. You can still catch flu after the vaccine, but it is usually milder.

Questions before you book?

Message or call Laois Pharmacy, Lyster Square, Portlaoise.

WhatsApp 085 840 7548 Call 057 866 1999 Back to the form