Politicians at Leinster House are being offered free flu vaccinations.

Among the general public, free flu vaccines are only given to children, people over the age of 60 and at-risk groups.

They are also available to healthcare workers and people who are in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl.

Anyone else who wants to get vaccinated has to pay a fee of around €35 fee at their local GP or pharmacy.

Sense of entitlement

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín told Newstalk that he will not be accepting the ‘freebie'. 

“I think what's available to citizens should be available to TD's and vice versa," he said.

“TDs shouldn't have an entitlement over other citizens.

“In actual fact, TDs should refuse to take this and should stand in solidarity with other citizens."

Deputy Tóibín said the 'embedded sense of entitlement' among TD's needs to come to an end.

"It's a L'Oréal instinct that 'They're worth it'," he said.

“We need to bring to an end this instinct where TD’s are entitled to freebies while citizens that they’re meant to be serving have to pay full dollar for a service.”

COVID-19 vaccines

In an email sent earlier this week, all Oireachtas politicians, Secretarial Assistance Scheme staff and Oireachtas Service staff were told they could get the free vaccine.

They can also avail of free COVID-19 vaccines if they are eligible for the next winter booster and the ‘flu and COVID combination’ which offers them both.

Reporting from Barry Whyte

Main image: Split of Leinster House on the left, and a vaccine and needle on the right against a blue background. Picture: Sourced