Influenza – flu – is a highly infectious and potentially serious illness caused by influenza viruses. Each year the make-up of the seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the influenza viruses that the World Health Organization decide are most likely to be circulating in the coming winter.

Vaccination is strongly recommended for:

• persons 65 and over,
• those with a long-term medical condition such as diabetes, heart or lung disease,
• people whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment
• residents of nursing homes and other long stay institutions
• persons with a body mass index (BMI) over 40
• pregnant women.(can be given at any stage of pregnancy),
• healthcare workers
• carers
• people with regular close contact with poultry, water fowl or pigs.

For more information on flu immunisation, including background information on the vaccine and how you can get the jab, see the links below:

HSE - Flu Vaccinations

Immunise.ie - HSE Immunisation Website

These are lots of ways to help keep yourself well and healthy as you age. The HSE provides some useful resources on different topics to help you find out more about keeping yourself healthy as you age.

• Blood pressure and cholesterol
• Continence promotion
• Dental Health - Looking after your teeth
• Dementia
• Depression
• Drugs and medicines
• Eyesight
• Fire Safety
• Foot care
• Hearing
• Keeping Active
• Nutrition
• Road safety
• Slips, trips and falls
• Strokes and heart attacks
• Protecting Older People from Elder Abuse

The Citizens Information website also has useful information for older people:

• Health Services for Older People

Get Active

The http://www.getirelandactive.ie/ site was initially developed to promote the National Physical Activity guidelines. The site has been further developed to become a one-stop shop for physical activity information