HSE boosts vaccine drive as deadline nears

THE public is being urged to get the Covid vaccine booster this week before the programme comes to a close.

Every eligible person has until Sunday, February 18 to get the jab as the autumn and winter programme wraps up.

Those interested in receiving it need to promptly contact their GP or pharmacy or contact HSE Live for assistance, the health service has advised.

However, Covid-19 vaccines will continue to be available for those needing a primary dose and for pregnant women.

The children’s vaccine programme will also continue for those eligible for jabs in numerous walk-in clinics.

Those who do not meet the deadline will have to wait until next autumn before another booster shot is made available.

People are also being advised that the flu vaccine programme is continuing for another number of weeks for eligible groups. Dr Colm Henry, HSE chief clinical officer, said: ‘Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and others from Covid-19 and flu.

‘We are continuing to urge eligible people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. To check which vaccines are recommended for you, visit hse.ie or talk to a participating GP or pharmacist today.’

Members of the public will be offered a seasonal booster dose if they are: aged 50 or older; aged five or older with a week immune system; aged five to 49 with a condition that puts you at high risk of serious illness from Covid-19; or a healthcare worker. However, those who are not in these groups can still request a vaccine from their GP or pharmacist.

Meanwhile, Dublin pharmacist Sheena Mitchell is pleading with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to allow community pharmacists to deliver the measles jab. Her call comes one week after the death of a 48-year-old man from Westmeath who had the disease. ‘I am imploring the HSE to widen the remit of the pharmacist to support a widespread MMR catch-up vaccination programme and seize this valuable opportunity to eliminate measles once again from our country,’ she said. ‘Pharmacists are a qualified, accessible healthcare resource in the community who should be used to help safeguard against a measles outbreak.’ A spokeswoman from the Department of Health said: ‘The HSE launched a measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) catch-up programme in November 2023, which is being offered through GPs. The HSE is currently exploring options for a catch-up MMR vaccine programme for adults which will include proposed channels of administration.’