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Appointments to receive the latest round of Covid-19 booster vaccines can be made from Friday by those in eligible groups who last received a vaccine dose at least three months ago.
People aged over 70, residents of long-term care facilities for older adults and those aged over five who are immunocompromised are all eligible for the latest round of vaccines.
Nursing home residents should be offered the opportunity to receive the latest booster over the coming weeks as mobile vaccination teams visit premises around the country but other members of the eligible groups can obtain what is being referred to as the “spring booster vaccine” from a GP, pharmacist or at a community vaccination centre.
Those seeking to receive the booster should not have had their last one, or had a Covid-19 infection, during the previous three months.
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Children under-12 being vaccinated due to weak immunity will receive their boosters through community vaccination centres.
“We are putting the most recent advice from Niac (the National Immunisation Advisory Committee) into action and inviting everyone eligible to get the spring booster vaccine,” said the HSE’s Covid-19 vaccination programme national lead Eileen Whelan.
“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.”
The immunocompromised group includes cancer patients, transplant patients, people living with chronic kidney disease and those on dialysis.
Appointments for the vaccination clinics can be made at HSE.ie.
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