The HSE is offering new Covid-19 booster jabs to people aged 18 to 49 years old amid rising cases.
People can either book an appointment at an HSE vaccine clinic or attend participating pharmacies and GPs. Appointments for the booster vaccine are available from today and can be found on the HSE website.
HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said today: “We continue to be very concerned about the steep rise in cases of COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory illness at this time. Our GPs and hospitals are working hard to support people, but we have seen a more than 100% increase in cases of flu, and people needing hospital admission for flu.
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"In the week ending on December 24th, we had 2,329 flu cases reported, compared to 1,174 the previous week. People needing hospital admission for flu jumped to 637, from 299 the previous week. Covid-19 cases increased to 3,809, compared to 3,118 the previous week, with 737 people in hospital with Covid-19."
While some people in the 18-49 years age group may have already received their second booster if they are a healthcare worker or have had an underlying health condition, the HSE has urged people who have not yet received a Covid-19 booster vaccine to check their vaccine status and to do so as soon as possible.
Dr Henry added that “getting a vaccine, whether it’s your next Covid-19 booster, or a flu vaccine if you or your children are due to get it, can really help to protect you, the people around you, and our health services. Since flu season can last for 12 weeks or more - it’s not too late to do that now.”
National Lead on that Covid-19 Vaccination Programme Eileen Whelan said: “We are putting the most recent vaccine advice from NIAC (National Immunisation Advisory Committee) into action and inviting everyone aged 18-49 for their second booster, once it is 6 months since their last vaccine or since they have had a Covid-19 infection.
"I encourage everyone to get their second booster dose. It will give ongoing protection from serious illness, and increase your immunity against infection from Covid-19, which we know tends to reduce after a period of months following your last vaccine.
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