Children’s Winter Flu Campaign Launched Today

New research from the Irish Patients Association (IPA) reveals that 4 in 10 parents hesitate to get their children vaccinated with the FREE winter flu vaccine despite 1,274 children being hospitalised last year

Dublin, October 2023 – *New research from the Irish Patients Association (IPA) reveals that 4 in 10 parents hesitate to get their children the free winter flu vaccine. Despite 1,274 children being hospitalised with the virus during the flu season last year, over a quarter of parents perceive the winter flu as not having serious consequences for their children. In response to this, Mayo GAA Star Aidan O’Shea, and Pharmacist Laura Dowling and Professor of Immunology Christine Loscher have joined forces with the IPA to launch the ‘Flunited’ campaign, urging parents to protect their children from flu this winter.

The ‘Flunited’ campaign, a portmanteau of “flu” and “united, emphasizes the importance of the children’s flu vaccine this winter, rallying parents and guardians to unite with the ‘Flunited’ team to combat the annual flu outbreak as a collective effort! The campaign aims to highlight that for young children sometimes the consequences of flu can be serious and can lead to problems such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). So, driving awareness of these consequences and the free access they have to this vaccine is key.¹

The children’s flu vaccine, administered as a free nasal spray to of all children 2-12 and children aged 13-17 at high risk of flu, is accessible at local GPs, participating pharmacies, and, for the first time this year, in participating schools across the country. 

Alarming Statistics

During the 2022/2023 flu season, a staggering 1,274 children were hospitalized with the virus. Despite these alarming statistics, recent research conducted by Empathy Research on behalf of IPA has revealed that over 4 in 10 parents (44%) hesitate to vaccinate their children against winter flu.

Professor of Immunology Christine Loscher says, “Children are twice as likely to catch flu as adults.² Children with complications may need hospital treatment. Some may need intensive care. In the past 10 years in Ireland, almost 5,000 children were admitted to hospital with complications of flu. Almost 200 children had treatment in intensive care and 40 children died.³ So it’s key parents are aware of the risks.”

During the 2022/2023 flu season,
a staggering 1,274 children were
hospitalized with the virus.

Research Findings:

IPA’s research with Empathy Research uncovered insights into parental attitudes toward the children’s flu vaccine:

• Females (49%) exhibit a higher likelihood of hesitancy compared to males (38%)
• Parents aged 34-44 (53%) and those in Connacht/Ulster (56%) are more likely to express hesitancy.
• Over 6 in 10 parents who hesitated (62%) expressed concerns about potential adverse reactions, while just over a quarter (26%) believed that the flu does not have serious consequences in children.
• More than half (51%) of parents reported that their children missed school days in the last year due to flu or its complications. The impact of these missed school days includes significant learning opportunities lost (57%) and parents having to take time off work to care for their children (36%)

Awareness of Flu Consequences: 

• Slightly over half (51%) of parents are aware that flu can have severe consequences in children, such as ear or respiratory infections.
• More than three-quarters (77%) of parents are aware that children are significant flu spreaders, capable of longer contagious periods compared to adults.
• Professor of Immunology Christine Loscher added, “Children are twice as likely to catch flu as adults.⁴ Children with complications may need hospital treatment. Some may need intensive care. In the past 10 years in Ireland, almost 5,000 children were admitted to hospital with complications of flu. Almost 200 children had treatment in intensive care and 40 children died. So it’s key parents are aware of the risks.”

Speaking at the campaign launch, Aidan O’Shea said: “As a Dad I know everyday life is disrupted when children are sick. This impacts not only their well-being but parents’ work, routine, and kids’ education. We all have a responsibility to stop the spread. So don’t let the flu take the field – Join Flunited’s winning team!”

Pharmacist Laura Dowling, who has amassed a large following on social media for her humorous, informative posts, reassured parents, “The children’s flu vaccine is administered as a quick and virtually painless nasal spray in each nostril taking less than six seconds providing robust protection.”

Stephen McMahon, Irish Patients Association, strongly advocated for collective action, “Together, we will guarantee a robust, flu-free season for schools and households throughout the nation.”

The ‘Flunited’ campaign,, seeks to empower parents and guardians with the knowledge and resources they need to safeguard their children and communities against the flu.

This flu season, all children aged 2-12 years will be offered the flu vaccine free of charge at participating schools, pharmacies, and GP practices. Children aged 13-17 at high risk of flu can also get the children’s nasal flu vaccine for free. Please speak with your pharmacist or GP to see if your child is eligible.

Some primary school children will be offered the free nasal flu vaccine in school by HSE vaccination teams. You will be contacted about this by your local team. The HSE also reassures parents that children can safely receive the flu vaccine alongside other recommended vaccines.

This campaign is funded by AstraZeneca Ireland.

[1] https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/childrens-flu-vaccine/
[2] HSE launches children’s free nasal spray flu vaccination programme for children aged 2-12 years – HSE.ie
[3] Children’s flu vaccine – HSE.ie
[4] HSE launches children’s free nasal spray flu vaccination programme for children aged 2-12 years – HSE.ie