James Cox
The booster rollout for those aged 40-49 has been brought forward.
The Minister for Health announced last night that the vaccines will be made available for that age group will be available from tomorrow, eight days ahead of the original schedule.
Access to the booster vaccination will be through a mixed model of appointments and walk-in clinics at vaccination centres, GPs and pharmacies.
Details including locations and opening times are available on www.hse.ie.
Mr Donnelly said: “I’ve been working with the HSE to significantly increase capacity in recent weeks, and we have witnessed significant increases in the numbers getting boosters, with over 160,000 administered in the past three days. It is welcome to see so many people presenting for a booster vaccination before Christmas.”
HSE chief Paul Reid tweeted on Saturday: “We’re bringing forward the 40-49 ages for booster vaccines to now commence from tomorrow.
“Please take the earliest opportunity to do so via Vaccination Centres (incl walk-ins), GPs (they will contact you) or contact your Pharmacy.”
Dr Colm Henry, chief clinical officer of the HSE, said: “I am urging all those eligible for their Covid booster vaccine to avail of it.
“We want the protection provided by the booster to be as robust as possible over the winter months.
“We have multiple channels to access a Covid-19 vaccine and I am making a public call to those who remain unvaccinated to take this opportunity as soon as possible in order to ensure they are protected from serious illness from Covid-19.”