Flu FREE HSE Risk Group 18+
Flu €35 No Risk Group 18+
Please note that our appointment bookings are managed by Swiftqueue, on behalf of Boots.
You will need to use your Swiftqueue login details or create a Swiftqueue account after you select your appointment to complete your booking.
Your flu vaccination at Boots
The best way to help protect yourself and others from catching and spreading the flu is to get the flu vaccination every year. Our Winter Flu Vaccination Service is a simple and convenient way to help protect against the flu. The flu vaccine administered by injection is available for those aged 18 years and over in most Boots pharmacies.* You can read more about each of the available flu vaccines in one of the Patient Information Leaflets here.
Sanofi Inactivated Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine 2023-24 season
Mylan Inactivated Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine 2023-24 season
Learn more about your flu vaccination and appointment consultation through our video here.
You can find out more about the nasal flu vaccination for children two to 17 years here.
HOW IT WORKS
What is the flu?
Flu is a common viral infection that’s easily spread to other people through coughs and sneezes. Flu symptoms include a fever, headache, sore throat and an aching body. Viruses that cause flu are the most common during the winter months. Flu strains can change from year to year, which means last year’s vaccination may not protect you from this season’s flu strains. Over time, protection from the flu vaccination also decreases, which is another reason to keep up to date with your flu vaccinations.
How long will my appointment take?
The in-store appointment will take around 15 minutes.
Price
If you’re in one of the groups recommended to get the flu vaccination,*** you may be eligible to get it free of charge.* For others a charge of €35 will apply.*
Who should get the winter flu vaccine?
There are certain groups of people*** recommended to get the winter flu vaccination every year, including anyone who:
• Is aged 65 and over
• Is pregnant
• Has a long-term medical condition such as diabetes, heart, kidney, liver, lung or a neurological disease
• Has cancer
• Has a weakened immune system (due to disease or treatment)
• Has a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40
• Has haemoglobinopathy
• Has Down's syndrome
• Lives in a nursing home or other long-stay residence
• Is a healthcare worker with direct patient contact
• Cares for someone who's at risk of flu due to a long-term health condition
• Lives in the same house as someone who's at risk of flu due to a long-term health condition
• Has regular close contact with poultry, water fowl or pigs
Is there anyone who should avoid getting the winter flu vaccine?
There are very few people who can’t have a flu vaccination†, but it might not be suitable if:
• You’ve had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccination or any of its ingredients in the past
• You’re taking a type of medication called checkpoint inhibitors
• You have extremely low levels of a type of white blood cell, called neutrophils
If you’re unsure if any of these may apply to you, speak with your Boots pharmacist.
Am I eligible for a free winter flu vaccination?
If you're in one of the at-risk or recommended groups to get the flu vaccination*** you can get the service free of charge.* For others a charge may apply.*
If you're unsure about your eligibility for a free vaccination, speak to your Boots pharmacist.
Can I book a flu appointment for a child aged two to 17 years?
Read more information on the nasal flu vaccination for children two to 17 years.
At your appointment, one of our specially trained pharmacists will inject the vaccine into your upper arm. It's important that you stay in store, or close by, for 15 minutes after your vaccination, just in case you have any immediate side effects. The most common side effects include:
• A fever
• Feeling unwell
• Shivering
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Muscle and joint pain
• Injection site reactions (redness, tenderness and swelling)
If you do experience any of these, don't worry, they’re usually mild and should disappear on their own in a day or two.
Some people may experience rare reactions, which can include allergic reactions, nerve pain/inflammation, swollen glands, numbness, general skin reactions and rare nerve disorders. If you experience these, or any other unusual or severe symptoms, seek medical advice straight away. Anaphylaxis†† may occur on very rare occasions, but we have in-store procedures to deal with this. Talk to our pharmacist if you have any concerns or questions about the vaccination or side effects.
Important information
• With your permission, we’ll let your doctor know when you’ve had your vaccination so that they can update your medical records
• Being vaccinated is likely to provide effective protection against this year's strain of the winter flu virus. There will still be a chance of you catching flu
• After your vaccination, it can take about 14 days to be protected against flu
• You cannot catch flu from the injection type of flu vaccination
• If you need to have a serology blood test (one that checks antibody levels) within a few days following a flu vaccination, please tell your doctor. This is because false positive results have previously been observed with some test types in a few patients who'd recently been vaccinated
• Some people require two vaccination doses. Your pharmacist will let you know if you’ll need a second dose
Boots Corporate Winter Flu Vaccination Service
Sales of Corporate Winter Flu Vaccination Service Vouchers ended on 31st December 2023. You can find out further information and register for updates for the 2024-25 season by clicking here.
*Vaccination service subject to specially trained pharmacist and vaccine availability. Selected stores only. The eligibility criteria for a free vaccination based on HSE requirements can be found here. A charge may apply. Ask your Boots pharmacist for details. Eligibility criteria applies.
**Subject to store opening times, vaccine stock and specially trained pharmacist availability.
†These exclusion criteria refer to inactivated influenza vaccination only.
††www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/a/anaphylaxis/symptoms-of-anaphylaxis.html.
