Children’s Health & Wellbeing
“Social media trends, conflicting advice and pressure to ‘get it right’ leave many parents second-guessing every mealtime decision.” Aileen Cox Blundell, Founder, Baby Led Feeding Page 04
“Vaccination protects your child. It also helps to stop flu spreading to others, including siblings, parents and grandparents.”
Dr Louise Marron, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, National Immunisation Office Page 06 www.healthnews.ie
Image provided by Aileen Cox Blundell
The smart way to prepare for secondary school
The free ‘Smart Moves’ programme can help children make a smooth and stress-free transition to secondary school.
The move from primary to secondary school is one of the biggest challenges that Ireland’s children will face in their academic careers.
Thankfully, ISPCC offers a toolkit for schools that can have a hugely beneficial impact.
Whole school approach
ISPCC’s Smart Moves programme takes a whole school community approach. Since its launch in 2021, it has received rave reviews. It is a free, resilience and evidencebased programme for both primary and secondary school pupils.
It provokes discussions within the class setting, and this peer-to-peer support can be invaluable for young people who are worried about what the future may hold.
Teacher-led
The primary programme is teacher-led and includes 15 short lessons covering topics from friendship to problem-solving to sleep difficulties. Smart Moves is also teacher-led at secondary school. It involves 24 sessions covering a myriad of topics, including organisational ability, friendship and conflict resolution. Each lesson lasts 30 minutes.
Easing transitions
Students and teachers who have completed the programme describe it as a gamechanger. One sixth-class pupil said: “It made me feel more prepared by talking about my feelings and other people’s feelings.”
Meanwhile, a teacher said: “We could see children’s confidence grow, and there was a visible reduction in anxiety about the move to secondary.” Another teacher said: “It allows them to discuss their fears, and these conversations calm them and show them how they can prepare for what is to come.”
TESS-recommended
Smart Moves has been used by over 1,100 schools and School Completion Programmes (SCPs). It is included in a list of TESS-recommended resources, which can be used for transition work in SCP projects nationwide.
When a teacher registers for the programme, they receive a guidebook and an instructional video as well as student journals, posters and an introductory letter for parents. There is no additional training needed for facilitators.
To register and learn more about Smart Moves, go to ispcc.ie/smart-moves/
Investing in student welfare is key to sustaining Ireland’s growth
Higher education institutions (HEIs) must act now to provide a safe pathway for their students from the first day to graduation day.
Transitioning from secondary to postsecondary education is as complex as it is trying for young people.
Crisis in student welfare
Within the context of recent budget cuts and the current cost of living crisis, the compounding of financial strain, accommodation scarcity, social isolation from former school and hometown peer groups, plus pressure to succeed in an academically competitive environment — where expectations and workload are a step up and bursaries and scholarships are reliant on performance — is a detrimental combination.
A study published in Issues in Mental Health Nursing of first-year undergraduate students in Ireland found that 28.5% reported suicidal ideation, exceeding international norms. Clearly, now is not the time to withdraw resources and support from students in higher education.
Corrective measures
To protect Ireland’s future, we need to protect the generation that will be relied upon to continue the country’s track record in high employment rates, job growth, female participation in the workforce and regional opportunities fostering entrepreneurship and small local businesses. This means adopting strategies for student health and wellbeing, such as those identified in the Higher Education Authority (HEA) framework.
While government decision-making takes time, whole-institution approaches can be implemented with some immediacy. Directing energies towards health awareness, access to support and staff training campaigns would not only foster positive learning environments; it would also introduce early intervention opportunities by embedding wellbeing checkpoints in teaching, learning and social activities on campuses.
Safeguarding student success
Ireland’s place in the global economy hinges on a strong pipeline of talent equipped with the kinds of skills developed through postsecondary education and training. However, this cannot be achieved if we fail to ensure safe passage for our youth during third-level study. Investments in research and innovation are aimless if students never make it in those spaces.
As the school year begins at HEIs nationwide, campus leadership will have to commit to being stewards of student welfare, or the consequences will be dire in the coming years.
Parents supporting their children’s mental health and wellbeing
Today, children face socially and emotionally complex lives, often more so than previous generations, and many are still coping with the lasting effects of Covid-19.
As parents, watching children struggle can be overwhelming, and it’s natural to feel unsure how to help.
Five ways to wellbeing
If your child is experiencing significant mental health difficulties, seeking support is important. Your GP is the best first step. However, if your child is not in crisis but you’ve noticed small changes in mood, anxiety or simply want to strengthen their wellbeing, proven steps can make a difference. These are called the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing,’ developed by the New Economics Foundation. They are simple to build into family life.
1. Connect
Strong relationships are the foundation of wellbeing. Encourage your child to spend time with friends, family, and community. Small moments, such as chatting over dinner or visiting friends, can help them feel valued and connected.
2. Be active
Movement has a powerful impact on mood. Be a role model by being active together: go for a walk, play in the park, or support them to join an activity. It doesn’t need to be intense; just moving matters.
3. Keep learning
Trying new things builds confidence and resilience. Support your child to explore art, music, cooking, coding or anything that sparks curiosity. Gaining new skills helps them feel capable and proud.
4. Take notice
Encourage your child to notice the world around them. The smell of rain, the warmth of sunshine or something unusual outside can all become mindful moments. Paying attention helps balance negative messages.
5. Give
Helping others strengthens self-worth. Encourage kindness and sharing. Supporting grandparents, volunteering or being there for a friend, giving helps children feel valued and part of something bigger.
Niamh Clarke ISPCC Community Engagement Manager
Joanne Dolan Co Founder,
These steps aren’t just for children; they are for you, too. Caring for your own wellbeing is one of the best ways to support your child. Take a breath, notice the little things, and make time for what recharges you. Small steps today can protect the mental health of both you and your child tomorrow.
Aine Lynch CEO, National Parents Council
Teen-Turn
It
can be difficult for parents to know when it’s okay for a child to go in and when they need to stay at home.
New national campaign aims to reduce alarming rates of school absenteeism
Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) highlights the rise of casual non-attendance, plus advice from a public health doctor on how to know if your child is well enough to attend school.
According to reports, approximately one in five children and young people in Irish households are missing a month or more of their school year. This rise in school absenteeism is increasingly linked to casual non-attendance (days missed here and there) and is often responsible for a decline in children’s wellbeing and a barrier to achieving their potential.
“Parents are responsible for their child’s school attendance. It is essential that they, and others who can help support attendance, like grandparents, are aware of how many days their children are missing from school,” explains Áine O’Keeffe, Director, TESS. “You may think that one or two days here and there is harmless, but when it adds up to a more significant period of nonattendance, it can have a detrimental effect on a child’s learning, development and wellbeing.”
Campaign for school attendance
Sponsored by Tusla
In response to this rising trend, the Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee, announced a comprehensive suite of targeted and universal actions to improve school attendance in May 2025. Among the key initiatives being introduced is a national multimedia campaign, launching this week, to promote the importance of regular school attendance to parents and guardians. “The campaign will help to raise
awareness of the research,” explains O’Keeffe. “When children are in school, they get the full benefit of the day: the learning, friendships, fun and routine.”
She adds: “Setting good habits around school attendance early in primary school builds expectations that grow with the child. Even when it feels challenging, fostering a sense of ‘go in anyway’ helps to create a positive pattern and good habit of regular attendance.”
Balancing health and being present Since Covid-19, parents are understandably more cautious about sending their children to school with minor illnesses. It can be difficult for parents to know when it’s okay for a child to go in and when they need to stay at home.
Dr Abigail Collins, HSE National Clinical Lead, Child Health Public Health Programme, offers practical tips on when a child with a minor illness can attend school and when to seek further advice. “Childhood illnesses such as a runny nose, minor cough or a mild sore throat are extremely common, especially in winter. If a child is otherwise well, able to play and concentrate and is eating, drinking and going to the toilet, they should be attending school,” she explains.
“If, however, they have a high temperature 38°C or above, are too unwell to focus or are unusually tired or lethargic, they should stay home.
Seek advice from mychild.ie, the local pharmacist or GP.”
Annual vaccination and good hygiene
Dr Collins advises on the importance of keeping children up to date with childhood vaccines, including the flu vaccine, as well as reinforcing the importance of good hygiene by washing hands and covering coughs.
There are some things parents can do to prepare for times when their child becomes unwell. “Parents should keep a thermometer, fever and pain relief medicines and GP contact details close,” she explains.
“Seek advice from trusted HSE guidance when symptoms develop, to know how best to support your child and when to seek further advice.”
Providing clarity
TESS is helping families make confident decisions about school attendance by providing clear guidance and support, ensuring every child who can be in school is present, learning and with their peers.
“We want to create a culture where regular school attendance is the expectation. This requires collaboration from parents, grandparents, guardians and the wider community,” O’Keeffe adds. “We believe every day counts — that is why the guidance is on hand so that parents can make confident decisions about school attendance.”
Áine O’Keeffe Director, Tusla Education Support Service
Dr Abigail Collins
WRITTEN BY Bethany Cooper
Parents’ and carers’ guide to oral health for autistic children and those with SDPs
Every child is unique. For autistic children and those with sensory processing difficulties (SPDs), personalised oral health is important. Traditional dental advice may need to change to fit their specific needs.
Ahealthy mouth is fundamental to a child’s overall health and wellbeing, influencing their eating, speaking, sleep and learning habits. However, oral care can be overwhelming. With empathy, planning and small adaptations, parents and carers significantly contribute to maintaining their child’s bright smile. Oral health plays a vital role in pain, decay and gum disease. It serves as a preventive measure against emergency dental visits and fosters self-care confidence.
Daily brushing made easier
1. Create a routine: Establish a time and place that works best for your child or suits their needs. Use a visual schedule or picture cards to help with the activity. Give gentle, clear instructions before you start.
2. Choose tools that work: Opt for soft bristles or silicone heads for sensitive gums. Select unflavoured or mild-mint toothpaste. Explore both electric and manual toothbrushes. Allow your child to choose the toothpaste and toothbrush based on what works best.
3. Make it short and positive: Praise effort, not perfection. Songs and timers can make brushing fun and focused and can be used to indicate the end of the routine.
Tackling sensory barriers
Let your child choose the colour and shape of the brush before use. Start with dry brushing, and gradually add toothpaste. Try brushing alongside your child, so they can copy. Dim bright lights or play calming music during brushing.
Preparing for dental visits
Dental visits can be stressful due to sensory factors like bright lights, strange noises, unusual smells, new faces and busy waiting areas. Book quiet times and use visuals to explain each step. Bring comfort items like a toy or weighted blanket.
Small wins matter
Every tiny step forward counts. Praise every attempt at brushing. These moments guide towards a lifetime of better oral health. Patience, preparation and flexibility will help relax your child. With them, you can make oral care a positive part of your child’s daily life — and protect their smile for years to come.
Feeding growing bodies and busy little minds
Feeding children feels overly complicated. Social media trends, conflicting advice and pressure to ‘get it right’ leave many parents second-guessing every mealtime decision.
As a busy mum, I know this feeling well. Over the past six years, I have been studying nutrition while working fulltime, raising my children and trying (some days more successfully than others) to manage my own food and physical activity. I know just how hard it is to juggle it all. Here are some of my favourite easy wins to take the pressure off feeding your little ones.
Keep lunchboxes simple
Lunchboxes do not need to be Instagram-worthy to be great. Aim to include a portion of fruit or vegetables, a slow-release carbohydrate such as whole-grain bread, wrap or pasta, alongside a portion of protein, such as cheese, yoghurt, hard-boiled eggs or meat. Some days, a lunchbox will be demolished entirely. On other days, it will come home with just a few bites taken out of a sandwich, and that is okay. Keep offering, as exposure is what really matters.
Make fibre easy
Most children, like adults, are not eating enough fibre. Make changes slowly, such as swapping out white bread, rice and pasta for whole-grain alternatives. Sprinkle seeds (ground for smaller ones) on yoghurt and cereal. Add beans or lentils to a pasta dish or serve fruit instead of juice.
Prep once, eat twice
Cooking an easy double dinner is the ultimate timesaver. It can be as easy to make a double batch of pasta sauce or roast an extra chicken as it is to cook one. These leftovers can be turned into lunchbox fillers or frozen for a convenient dinner the following week with minimal stress.
Little eyes watch everything
As busy parents, the way we eat teaches our children about food more than anything else. Sitting down together, serving and eating a variety of foods and keeping mealtimes calm is incredibly important.
With simple meals, consistent routines and looking after yourself along the way, you are giving your little one exactly what they need and the best start in life.
A paediatric dentist’s guide to keeping little teeth healthy
A healthy smile starts long before the tooth fairy arrives. Childhood dental decay is common but completely preventable. A few simple habits can protect your child’s teeth for life.
Brush together twice a day
From the first moment a tooth appears, we need to start cleaning. Kids need assistance with brushing until around age seven. Even after that, supervision is required to ensure it isn’t forgotten. Make it a family routine — mornings and bedtime — so they build healthy habits early. Brushing is nonnegotiable.
Use fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride strengthens teeth and is your child’s best defence against cavities. Children over two should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste with 1450ppm fluoride. Press the paste into the brush, so it is released gradually during brushing. At the end, spit but don’t rinse out; the toothpaste residue continues to harden the teeth.
Stick to milk and water only
Fruit juices, cordials and smoothies (even the ‘no added sugar’ or organic ones) are full of acids and natural sugars that can damage teeth. Keep these for special occasions and stick to milk or water as everyday drinks. Only offer water after the nighttime brush.
Watch the snacking: food-free time
Every time we eat something, acid is created in the mouth, which damages teeth. Sugary and sticky foods create more acid, but all foods generate some. The more often teeth are attacked, the more they are damaged. Teeth need time in between the acid attacks to recover. So, it’s not just what children eat but how often. Aim for three main meals and two snacks a day.
Don’t wait for the school dentist
Bring your child for their first dental visit when their first tooth appears; it helps build positive, stress-free experiences early. Bring your child along to your visit or with a sibling. This not only makes the dentist a familiar setting but also prevents problems from developing. Over one in three Irish five-year-olds has cavities, so early detection and targeted professional advice can prevent problems and ensure healthy smiles.
Aileen Cox Blundell Founder, Baby Led Feeding
Sponsored by Dental Health Foundation Ireland
Sponsored by Happy Teeth Find out more at dentalhealth.ie
Find out more at happyteeth.ie
Orlaith Kennedy CEO, Dental Health Foundation
Dr Abigail Moore Paediatric Dentist, Dublin
The award-winning BioGaia ProTectis Baby Drops that parents and experts love
For many new parents, those early months are a whirlwind of joy, sleepless nights — and sometimes, the challenge of a baby struggling with colic, wind or digestive discomfort.
While crying is a normal part of infancy, prolonged bouts can leave both baby and parents exhausted. That’s where BioGaia ProTectis Baby Drops have become a trusted ally for families worldwide.
Gentle relief for little tummies
Winner of multiple parenting and healthcare awards, BioGaia ProTectis baby drops are more than just a supplement – it’s backed by over 200,000 hours of clinical research and used in more than 100 countries. At its heart is Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, one of the world’s most clinically studied probiotic strains for infant colic. Naturally found in breast milk, this friendly bacterium is proven to help restore balance in a baby’s gut microbiome, supporting digestion and reducing discomfort.
Soothing from birth
A new mum from Dublin shares: “The difference was life-changing – my baby was calmer, happier and
Irish clinic offers children and adolescent ADHD assessments from the comfort of home
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common yet misunderstood childhood neurodevelopmental condition. Experts highlight how schools, parents and medical professionals can help children with ADHD thrive.
According to Dr Lisa Maloney, Neuromed Cofounder: “It’s important to recognise that ADHD is not a behavioural problem; it is a neurological condition. Children are not choosing to be distracted or disorganised. Instead, many work incredibly hard to meet expectations, which can be emotionally exhausting.”
Every child’s ADHD is unique “Masking can be a big issue when it comes to recognising the condition,” she continues. “Children can often try to appear as though everything is under control, seeming calm and organised at school, but by the time they get home, they become completely burnt out.”
With three main types — hyperactive-impulsive, inattentive or combination ADHD — each child’s
finally sleeping.”
Multiple clinical studies show that babies given L. reuteri DSM 17938 experience less colicky crying, fewer episodes of wind and gas and improved stool frequency – helping them settle more easily and feed more comfortably. It’s gentle on developing systems, suitable from birth and ideal for both breastfed and formula-fed babies.
Reassurance in every drop
Parents also love the convenience: just five drops once a day — directly into the mouth, onto a spoon. With no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, BioGaia offers only high-quality, rigorously tested ingredients. When a baby feels better, the whole family breathes a sigh of relief. With its unique blend of award-winning quality, gold-standard research and gentle, natural support, BioGaia ProTectis Baby Drops give parents the reassurance they need when their baby’s comfort is at stake.
or sustaining focus, forgetfulness, impulsivity or inattentiveness and difficulty with organisation,” explains Dr Keane.
At school, movement breaks or extra time during exams can help children to thrive. At home, routine and environment are key. “Providing them with a calm, quiet and decluttered place to complete homework can make a world of difference,” she adds.
experience is unique, meaning strategies that work for one may not work for another. “Collaboration is extremely important,” says Dr Jennifer Keane, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. “Parents should feel confident to advocate for their child, to ensure that the school effectively recognises their individual learning style.”
Seeking assessment and treatment
Neuromed Clinic in Dublin and Galway provides online ADHD assessment from the comfort of home, followed by expert follow-up care, for children aged 9–17 and adults. With a team of psychologists, psychiatrists and occupational therapists, they specialise in cognitive behavioural therapies tailored to managing ADHD symptoms. “Common symptoms include difficulty paying attention
The role of medication in childhood ADHD “Stigma around ADHD medication use is a common concern for parents, and understandably so. Parents have the right to question what their child is being prescribed,” says Dr Keane. “Research shows that, when prescribed appropriately, medication is linked with lower rates of substance misuse, fewer accidents and even a reduced risk of teenage pregnancy.”
When prescribed under NICE guidelines and monitored alongside assessment of potential co-morbid conditions by a psychiatrist, medication can have a positive impact on a child’s daily life.
“When prescribed correctly, medication can be transformative. However, it’s never a standalone solution; it works best alongside psycho-education, lifestyle changes and family support, both for the child and the parents,” explains Dr Keane. “The goal is to help children engage more fully and reduce the emotional burden they carry.”
Sinead Fitzgerald Owner, HappyTummy.ie
Lisa Maloney Co-Founder, Executive Director, Neuromed
Jennifer Keane, MRCPsych Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
For more information, visit HappyTummy.ie –Irish distributing partner of BioGaia products.
Sponsored by BioGaia Ireland
Sponsored by Neuromed
BioGaia Protectis Baby Drops
The most researched probiotic for infant colic
Bethany Cooper
How to protect your child from flu
Misinformation vs truth about epidurals in childbirth
Flu can cause serious illness in children. The best protection is the flu vaccine. The vaccine is safe, effective, and available free of charge for all children aged two to 17.
Flu is more than a cold
Each year, flu season runs from October to April. This winter, all children aged two to 17 in Ireland will be offered the flu vaccine free of charge. Flu is not the same as a cold; it is a serious and highly infectious illness that can cause severe illness in children. Children who get flu can experience complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis, and those with longterm conditions are at even greater risk. In the last decade in Ireland, over 9,000 children were admitted to hospital with flu, and over 200 required treatment in an intensive care unit.
Parents can book the vaccine with their GP or local pharmacist.
Safe and easy protection
The good news is that we can protect children. The flu vaccine is safe, effective and easy to give. It is a nasal spray vaccine, administered as a quick, painless spray up each nostril. No needles are needed. The vaccine helps your child’s immune system to fight off the flu virus if they come into contact with it and gives them the best available protection against flu infection and its complications.
Protecting families and communities
Vaccination protects your child. It also helps to stop flu spreading to others, including siblings, parents and grandparents. It can also reduce time away from school and other activities.
A proven vaccine, free of charge
The children’s flu vaccine used in Ireland has been safely given to children for many years in the US and the UK, and since 2020 in Ireland. Most children can get the nasal spray flu vaccine; although a small number with certain medical conditions may need an alternative flu vaccine given by injection.
Side effects, if they occur, are usually mild, such as a runny nose, headache or mild fever. However, they often pass quickly. Serious side effects are very rare. Parents can book the vaccine with their GP or local pharmacist. In some cases, it may also be offered in schools. Both the consultation and the vaccine are completely free.
Dr. Nikki Higgins Consultant Anaesthesiologist and Director of Anaesthesiology, National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street
Discover the facts about epidural pain relief in labour. Learn the truth behind common myths on back pain, caesarean risk, labour duration, timing and safety.
Epidural analgesia is by far the most effective and reliable form of pain relief for labour, and it has a very good safety profile. Approximately 80% of first-time mothers delivering vaginally in the National Maternity Hospital will use epidural analgesia.
Epidurals cause chronic back pain
False. While some women do experience back discomfort after labour, there’s no evidence that epidurals are to blame.1 Pregnancy itself and preexisting back problems are the more likely culprits.
An epidural will slow labour down
Partially true. Epidurals do prolong labour, but the magnitude is small. It’s just 15 minutes on average over the duration of the labour.
If I get an epidural, I’ll end up needing a C-section
Epidurals do not increase the risk of needing a caesarean section (C-section), and several large studies prove this. Research also shows that epidurals can make labour safer2 — especially for women with certain medical conditions.3
There’s only a small window of time to get an epidural
While it’s best not to wait until the last minute, you can usually request an epidural at any stage — as long as there’s enough time for it to take effect. When labour is faster (eg. your second labour), the baby may come quicker than the epidural can take effect.
For more information, speak to your GP or Pharmacist or visit hse.ie/flu
Dr Louise Marron Consultant in Public Health Medicine, National Immunisation Office
Epidurals can cause nerve damage
While this is possible, it is rare. If nerve damage does occur, it’s far more likely to be related to the birth itself (eg. from prolonged pushing or pressure on nerves inside the pelvis from the baby).
References:
1. Timerga, Sara, et al. “Assessment of the Association Between Neuraxial Anesthesia and Back Pain After Delivery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Anesthesiology Research and Practice, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1155/anrp/2105413.
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Analgesia and Cesarean Delivery Rates.” Obstetrics & Gynecology, vol. 107, no. 6, 2006, pp. 1487–88.
3. Kearns, R. J., et al. “Epidural Analgesia During Labour and Severe Maternal Morbidity: Population Based Study.” BMJ, vol. 385, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj2023-077190.
The problem with flu is that it mutates very rapidly, and this is why we need to vaccinate every winter.
Protecting children and the vulnerable against the flu virus is vital
An immunology scientist issues a strong reminder as to why it’s important for people to annually vaccinate against influenza (flu), which can be particularly concerning for more vulnerable groups.
Kingston Mills Professor Of Experimental Immunology, Trinity College Dublin
BY
WRITTEN
Sheree Hanna
Last winter, there was an increase in the number of flu cases reported across Ireland, highlighting the need for vaccination against the virus as the new season approaches.
Flu can be debilitating
Vulnerable groups such as young children, the over 65s, those who are immunocompromised and health workers are particularly susceptible. Prof Kingston Mills, who is Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College Dublin, says:
“It’s really important that people are vaccinated. Traditionally, children bring the virus home from the creche or school and spread it to the rest of the family.
“Unlike the common cold, which is not going to put you into bed, influenza is a disease that will leave you debilitated and in a lot of cases, hospitalisation can result from the infection. It can turn into pneumonia, and that can be difficult to treat.”
A rise in flu cases
Figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC) for the first week of January 2025 show a total of 3,800 cases of flu were reported. Of those, 138 children were aged under one; 775 were aged between 65 and 80; while 660 cases were of people over 80.
Prof Mills, who works on different types of vaccines and previously on the immunology of influenza infection, signals the general drop off in the uptake of most vaccinations since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, flu jab uptake in children has remained steady, and there has only been a drop of 1% in adults.
does work, but the uptake has declined and resulted in outbreaks of the measles.”
Weighing up risks and benefits
Prof Mills believes misinformation in the media may have led to negative thinking about vaccinations. The benefits and risks of vaccines are assessed by regulatory authorities before approval, he highlights: “I think it’s important to say that some people may experience side effects.” These can include a short fever, a stuffy nose and fatigue for a day or two.
Currently, children from the age of two to 17 are offered a free nasal administered vaccine. If the nasal spray is unsuitable, alternatives are also offered. An awareness campaign is being launched in October to remind parents of its availability and urge them to book slots with their GP or pharmacy.
Mutations make predictions impossible
The vaccine is a mix of a number of strains of the virus. These strains are selected and changed periodically based on the circulating strain. “The problem with flu is that it mutates very rapidly, and this is why we need to vaccinate every winter,” explains Prof Mills. “The immunity you gained against last year’s viruses may not protect against this year’s circulating strain.”
With flu strains, there is also the ability for a human virus to combine with a porcine or avian one to create a completely new type of flu that has never been seen before. “This is what can result in pandemics, and the last flu pandemic we had was in 2009. We have had previous ones, and you can never predict what will happen,” says Prof Mills.
Sponsored by AstraZeneca
“During the pandemic, people were convinced of the benefits of vaccinations, but since then, I think a sense of either fatigue or complacency has set in, and there is a lot less impetus to vaccinate,” he says. “For example, the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination is an extremely effective vaccine, one of the best ever made — and it really
As a strong advocate for vaccinations, Prof Mills points to the examples of the almost complete eradication of killer diseases smallpox and polio, as well as the successful HPV jab against cervical cancer.
Veeva ID: IE-8157. September 2025
Protecting our youngest road users in Ireland to prevent tragedy
Every parent, guardian and teacher shares the same instinct: to keep children safe. Yet, when it comes to our roads, Ireland’s youngest citizens remain vulnerable.
Anew report from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) reveals stark figures highlighting how much more must be done to protect children on our streets.
Sobering child casualty figures
Between 2020 and 2024, 39 children aged 0–15 years lost their lives on Irish roads, while a further 584 were seriously injured. Children made up 5% of total road fatalities and 8% of serious injuries during this period. Two out of every three children injured were either walking or cycling. Almost half of all child casualties were pedestrians, while nearly one in five were cyclists.
“Every child should feel safe when walking or cycling to school, when travelling as a passenger or when simply playing in their community,” says RSA Chief Executive Sam Waide. “These figures remind us that road safety for children must be a shared priority — for parents, schools, policymakers and every road user in Ireland.”
Every child should feel safe when walking or cycling to school, when travelling as a passenger or when simply playing in their community.
When and where road risk peaks
The report highlights important patterns to help us understand when and where children are most vulnerable.
Location: Seven in 10 child casualties were on urban roads, in and around our cities, towns and villages. However, the majority of children injured as passengers were injured on higher speed rural roads (80km/h and above). Dublin and Cork saw the highest numbers of child casualties.
Gender: Boys were more at risk than girls. Over the five-year period, 62% of child casualties were male, of which the majority were vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
Age: Children aged 10–15 years accounted for two-thirds of all child casualties, suggesting that older children, though more independent,
remain vulnerable in complex traffic environments.
Time: Danger peaks in the afternoons and evenings. Seven in 10 child casualties occurred between 12pm and 8pm. Fridays saw the highest proportion of injuries.
Parents and guardians as safety role models
Parents and guardians remain the most powerful role models. The habits children learn in the car, on the footpath or on the bike lane are often the ones they carry into adulthood. Something as simple as always wearing a seat belt, putting the phone away while driving or wearing a helmet on the bike can send a powerful message.
Parents are encouraged to walk the local area with their child, discussing the risks they encounter — whether that’s why they shouldn’t cross between parked cars, the importance of holding hands or how to use pedestrian crossings safely.
How to promote safe cycling
Cycling is a healthy, enjoyable activity for children, but it must be approached with safety first. Children should always wear a helmet and high-visibility clothing. Parents should ensure their bike is the right size and in good working order. Crucially, children under 12 should not cycle alone in traffic.
The Government’s Road Safety Strategy (2021–2030) is now in its second phase, with an action plan covering 2025–2027. Many of its measures directly benefit children, particularly those travelling to and from school.
Strengthening road safety education
The RSA is leading on primary action nine, which focuses on strengthening road safety education. Building on successes like the Road Safety Matters course for Transition Year students, it is reviewing its education programmes to ensure they meet the needs of children and young people today.
“Every child lost or seriously injured on our roads represents a tragedy that ripples through families, schools and communities,” says Waide. “By working together — slowing down, staying alert and prioritising safety — we can create an environment where children are free to travel, play and grow without fear.”
Ireland has set the goal of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030. Protecting children on the roads is not just part of that vision — it is at the heart of it.
Sam Waide Chief Executive Officer, Road Safety Authority