- People aged 70 years and older
- Residents of long term care facilities for older adults
- All aged 5 years and older who have a weak immune system
Following the most recent NIAC (National Immunisation Advisory Committee) advice, the HSE has today (Friday, 28th April 2023) announced the Spring COVID-19 booster vaccine programme for people aged 70 years and older, residents of long-term care facilities for older adults and people aged 5 years and older with a weak immune system.
If you are eligible, you can get a COVID-19 booster from a participating GP or pharmacy or at a Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) in Cavan and Monaghan from next week.
Those eligible must wait at least 3 months since their previous COVID-19 vaccine or since they have had a COVID-19 infection before getting the booster.
You can get your COVID-19 vaccinations is Cavan and Monaghan at the below times;
Mobile Vaccination Unit, Drumalee GAA Club Car Park, Cavan H12 DY88
Wednesday May 3rd
1pm to 6pm – 12 + years
Cavan Monaghan Vaccination Centre, St Davnet’s Campus, Monaghan
Thursday May 4th
1pm to 2pm – 6 months to 4 year olds
2.30pm to 6pm – 12+ years
Saturday May 6th
10am to 1pm – 12+ years
Over the coming weeks, residents of long-term care facilities for older adults will be vaccinated by HSE mobile vaccination teams. Children under 12 years with a weak immune system will be vaccinated at CVCs.
In line with NIAC guidance, the HSE aims to complete this COVID-19 booster programme by the end of May. This will allow for the period of time required for those getting their Spring COVID-19 booster to get their next booster dose in autumn, along with their flu vaccine.
Eileen Whelan, National Lead, COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, HSE said: “We are putting the most recent advice from NIAC into action and inviting everyone eligible to get the Spring booster vaccine.
“We know people’s immunity weakens over time, especially in older people. This is why NIAC are recommending a booster for people aged 70 years and older and those in long-term care facilities for older adults. The booster will help keep them protected from serious illness and boost their immunity against infection from COVID-19.”
Anyone aged 5 and older with a weak immune system (immunocompromised) will also be offered a COVID-19 booster. This group is at higher risk of severe disease from COVID-19 and includes cancer patients, transplant patients, people living with chronic kidney disease and those on dialysis. The booster will help keep them protected against COVID-19 too.
If you are eligible, you can book a Spring booster appointment at a HSE vaccination clinics online at www.hse.ie. You can also get a booster vaccine at participating pharmacies and GPs. The HSE will be active over the next few weeks in our services, in the media and online, encouraging those eligible to come forward for COVID-19 spring booster vaccines.
Ends
Issued by HSE Press Office
Note to Editor
While the recommended interval between vaccine doses is 6 months, the Spring booster vaccine may be provided to those in the eligible groups once it is at least 3 months since they have received a previous vaccine dose/booster. If you are in one of the eligible groups and you had a booster vaccine since 1st March 2023 you should consider this to be your Spring booster and you should wait until the Autumn for your next booster
NIAC have also made a number of additional recommendations including an autumn COVID-19 booster vaccine programme for those aged 50 and older, healthcare workers, and those immunocompromised and with high risk medical conditions. Further detail of the autumn booster programme will follow in due course, NIAC guidance document.
Further recommendations include booster vaccination for pregnant adolescents and adults during pregnancy, ideally between 20-34 weeks gestation.
NIAC have also made a number of recommendations on intervals between primary vaccine doses and between booster doses – Updated information is available on www.hse.ie and in the NIAC guidance document.
Need information and advice on COVID-19? Go to www.hse.ie/coronavirus
28/04/2023