Those aged 60 and over or who are pregnant are being invited to avail of their next COVID vaccine booster, the HSE has announced.
Appointments are being made available for those eligible from August 15, with those eligible being asked to book on www.hse.ie. In coming weeks those aged 50 and over and young people with underlying medical conditions will also be asked to apply.
Boosters will be available through HSE vaccination clinics as well participating pharmacies and GPs. The HSE also strongly urges people who have not yet received a primary COVID-19 vaccine dose to consider attending one of the walk-in clinics for dose one or dose two of the vaccine, or to register for an appointment.
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Dr Colm Henry, HSE Chief Clinical Officer said: “This week we are putting the most recent vaccine advice into action and inviting new groups of people for their next booster. I encourage everyone aged 60 and over and pregnant women, to get their next booster dose. It will give you 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.”
Eileen Whelan, National Lead, COVID-19 Vaccine Programme, HSE said: “Over the next few weeks, boosters will be offered to people aged 50-64, and people with long term health conditions. We are inviting people initially in blocks of 5 years, starting with people aged 60-64, to ensure people have a smooth experience booking appointments online and getting their vaccine.”
“We want people to be aware of the protection vaccines offer and to get their best protection from COVID-19. We are also continuing to plan for the autumn, when more groups of people have been recommended to have COVID-19 boosters as well as routine flu vaccines to provide best health protection for the winter ahead.”
What you should know:
Interval between first and second booster
You should get your second booster at least 4 months (at least 120 days) after your first booster. You can check the date of your last booster on your digital COVID-19 certificate.
If you have had COVID-19
You should get your second booster dose at least 4 months after your positive test result or when your symptoms started.
Going to the vaccination centre
Please bring a photo ID with you. ID can include one of the following: passport, driver’s licence, Garda age card, student/school ID etc., but if your ID doesn't include your date of birth, please bring proof of your DOB (e.g. your birth cert).
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What vaccine is available?
For people aged 30 and over, you will be offered a single dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna) vaccine. You can get these vaccines even if you got a different type vaccine for your primary course (AstraZeneca, Janssen, Pfizer or Moderna). For people aged 16 to 29 years, you will be offered a single dose of Pfizer BioNTech vaccine. You can get this vaccine even if you got a different vaccine for your primary course.
If you have not had your first booster yet
Everyone aged 12 and over can still get their first booster, and are invited to come forward and book an appointment for a HSE vaccination centre.
Information available on HSE.ie and HSELive are available to support with booking if required on Freephone: 1800 700 700
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