The elderly and other at-risk groups are being urged to get vaccinated early against the flu this year.
It follows a severe flu season last winter when more than 4,500 people needed hospital care and over 200 patients died.
Pharmacists are reminding the public that they can now offer the flu jab, which is free to many medical card holders.
Up to 115,000 vaccines were administered by pharmacists last year, and President of The Irish Pharmacy Union, Dungarvan based Daragh Connolly, outlined the vulnerable groups that should be getting vaccinated.
“Influenza is a highly-infectious and potentially serious disease. In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season typically lasts from October to April."