The HSE have announced earlier and increasing influenza activity. They are recommending all eligible individuals are vaccinated without delay. This will help ease additional pressures on healthservices and protect those at risk. The following groups can avail of a free flu vaccine : *age 60 and older *age 2 to 17 * healthcare worker *pregnant *living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl *someone with a health condition that puts you at higher risk of flu (age 6 months and older) *living with someone who has a *health condition that puts them at higher risk of flu *a carer for someone who has a health condition that puts them at higher risk of flu *Cancer *chronic heart disease, including acute coronary syndrome *chronic liver disease *chronic kidney failure *chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), *cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia *chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, *hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system *diabetes and other metabolic disorders, including inherited metabolic disorders *Down syndrome *haemoglobinopathies *a body mass index (BMI) over 40 *immunosuppression due to disease or treatment (including asplenia or hyposplenism) serious mental health conditions *children with a moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorder such as cerebral palsy *children on long-term aspirin therapy *any condition that can compromise respiratory function, like spinal cord injury, seizure disorder or other neuromuscular disorder, especially people also attending special schools or day centres