Out-of-hours flu vaccine clinics will be held in the coming weeks, to facilitate access for working families and schoolchildren.

The Minister for Health Simon Donnelly has confirmed to Roscommon-Galway TD Denis Naughten that evening and weekend clinics will be held, after Deputy Naughten pointed out that schoolchildren and families should be able to get the vaccine at a convenient time for them.

The Independent TD says the only way our health service can manage a surge in Covid-19 infection this Winter is if we can rule out the possibility that the patient has flu - as the symptoms are so similar.

Deputy Naughten told Midwest Radio this morning that the public must be actively encouraged to have the flu jab, and children the flu drops.