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The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD has today announced the acceleration of the COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Programme. Given the emergence of the Omicron variant and demonstrable impact of the booster dose for those who received it, the aim is to ensure that all the risk groups have the opportunity to be vaccinated with a booster, had an appointment or can attend a walk in clinic in a vaccination centre or pharmacy by the end of the year. 

The HSE has updated the programme including the following:

• Extending the hours of our Vaccination Centres from 8am to 8pm 7 days a week, operating both walk-in and appointment-based clinics;
• Increasing capacity in Vaccination Centres (e.g. UCD Vaccination Centre increased from 10 to 15 booths);
• Opening of new Vaccination Centres including, Richmond Barracks in Dublin, RDS in Dublin, and a further centre opening in Cork City in early January;
• Expanding GP Practice participation from over 75% to full participation nationwide, with Practices only delivering urgent care outside of the Booster Programme – this will double the weekly booster doses administered by GPs; 
• Increasing the number of pharmacies participating in the programme to 700 this week and aiming to further increase to 1000 participating pharmacies; 
• Widening the programme to those aged 40+ from the week commencing 27th December;
• Commencing the primary vaccination of high-risk children aged 5 – 11 on 20th December (through paediatric hospitals), opening online registration for children with underlying conditions during the week commencing December 27th, with the programme extending to all 5-11 year olds in January;
• Enhanced support from the Defence Forces and other areas of the public service providing a range of supports in vaccination centres.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD said,

“Ireland has continued to be a frontrunner in the delivery and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines internationally. With over 1.2m booster doses administered to date, we are currently operating an advanced hybrid model of delivery in Ireland to ensure those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 are further protected. In advance of the festive season, I have asked that the HSE update the programme to maximise delivery. It is the intention that we will deliver an average of 300,000 booster doses a week in the coming weeks. I am also pleased to announce that vulnerable children aged 5-11 will begin to be offered an appointment from next week and the booster programme will commence offering appointments to those aged 40 – 49 on the week commencing 27th December. To support this the HSE are implementing a number of capacity-increasing measures including extended opening hours in Vaccination Clinics and the participation of even more GPs and Pharmacies.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

Boosters are available currently to the following groups once it is three months since completion of their primary vaccines, and they have not have a laboratory confirmed positive COVID test in the past six months : 

• All those aged 50+. 
• All those aged 16+ with an underlying health condition
• All those of any age living in a nursing home or long term healthcare facility
• All Healthcare workers

How to get your booster: 

• Appointments are being issued for vaccination centres by text message or if you are in the age groups above you can go to a walk-in clinic at a vaccination centre – details of such clinics are available on hse.ie
• GPs are contacting their patients offering booster vaccination – they are following the age groups and priority as set out in the NIAC guidelines
• Appointments can be made at participating pharmacies - when your age group / risk category is getting vaccinated.