Thank you for your continuing support in helping to share information about COVID-19. Below are some communications updates for you. This week, we would particularly appreciate your help in sharing our communications updates on vaccination for people aged 18-29.

 

Public Health Measures

You can find information here about the public health measures in place.

 

COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

Nearly 5 million vaccines have been administered in Ireland so far and 59% of adults are fully vaccinated. Over 73% of adults have received at least one dose. We are grateful to all of our colleagues and partners, and to the public, for taking part and making this happen.

For updates and information on the vaccination programme please visit www.hse.ie/rollout.

 

Vaccine registration opens for people aged 25-29

Online registration for everyone aged 25-29 opens Friday 16th July. People in this age group can all register from this date, and will be offered a vaccine appointment at a HSE vaccination centre within 3 weeks of registering. People aged 18-24 will be invited to register online next.

 

Vaccine options for people in this age group

People aged 18 to 34 may have a choice between 2 types of vaccine, both types will protect from severe illness from COVID-19.

• the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. These mRNA vaccines are the recommended and preferred option for people under the age of 50. People aged 25-29 will be offered an appointment for one of these vaccines within 3 weeks of registering online.
• the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. These viral vector vaccines have been associated with a rare side effect of unusual blood clots, which is more common in people under 50.

 

When registering online, people can indicate that they are happy to opt for a viral vector vaccine. This may mean they can be vaccinated sooner, all depending on vaccine supplies. The appointment text will let people know which vaccine is being offered.

People aged 18-34 can also choose to get a Janssen vaccine at a participating pharmacy, depending on supplies. If people in this age group are already registered with a pharmacy for a Janssen vaccine, they can now register on HSE.ie for an mRNA vaccine.

Read information to help you decide which vaccine is best for you.

Watch HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry speak to people aged 18 to 34 years about their COVID-19 vaccine choices.

 

Registration for people aged 30 to 69

People aged 30 to 69 who have not already registered for their vaccine can still register online.

Register online to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Read the user guide for help with registering online.

If you cannot register online, you can call the COVID-19 helpline at Freephone: 1800 700 700 to register by phone.

 

AstraZeneca second dose vaccination

If you received a first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, you should get your second dose 4 to 12 weeks after your first dose. If it is almost 12 weeks since your first dose and you have not received an appointment for the second dose yet, please contact HSELive on Freephone 1800 700 700.  People aged 60-69 should all receive their second dose by the end of this week, Sunday July 18^th.

 

Correction and clarification: Attending vaccination centres with children

Please note this is a correction of information which was included in the Partner Pack update of July 2^nd. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

We ask that you don’t bring children with you for your vaccination appointment. Please ask someone to help care for children while you are at your appointment.

can also call HSELive on 1800 700 700 to arrange an appointment time when you can attend without children.

If you have no childcare options, your child will need to stay with you at all times while you are at the vaccination centre. When you arrive for your appointment, we will ask you to fill in a form giving contact details for a nominated adult who can take care of your child in case of any emergency.

 

Please help support COVID vaccines #ForUsAll by adding a #Twibbon to your social media

Why get the COVID-19 vaccine? Get it for yourself, your family, your friends and #ForUsAll

You can now download a Twibbon to use on your social media profile to show your support for COVID-19 vaccines. There are two Twibbons to choose from:

https://twibbon.com/support/covid-vaccines-forusall-a

https://twibbon.com/support/covid-vaccines-forusall-b/twitter

 

After you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you are vaccine protected

When your vaccine has had time to work, you can do some things that were not recommended before you were vaccinated. You can find more information here.

 

EU Digital COVID Certificate

From this week, people who have been fully vaccinated will receive their EU Digital COVID Certificate. The certificate is proof (in digital or paper format) that you have either:

• been vaccinated against COVID-19 or
• received a negative COVID-19 test result or
• recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months

  If you have queries in relation to this certificate or international travel in general, you can:

• visit the government website
• get travel advice to help you make an informed decision
• access travel advice and information on measures in place across the EU

The emergency helpline number for the Digital COVID Certificate is: 1800 851 504

 

Where to find COVID-19 Vaccination Information

We encourage everyone to read about the COVID-19 vaccine and to get their information from a factual, trusted source – here are the links to the pages with information on the vaccine:

• Check hse.ie/covid19vaccinefor information about the vaccine, information on this page is updated regularly
• Find the vaccine information materials at www.hse.ie/covid19vaccinematerials
• Details on getting the COVID-19 vaccine is updated regularly here
• Details on COVID-19 vaccines administered are available here
• Read thefull COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy
• Read the National Immunisation Advisory Committee Chapter about COVID-19 vaccine
• COVID-19 vaccine information for health professionals

 

COVID-19 Testing – Online Booking System

We have a COVID-19 test online booking system for some testing centres. To book a test, log on to our system here. You can also show up without an appointment, but you may not have to wait as long if you book online.

Full details of how to get tested are available here.

 

COVID-19 webinar: Guidance updates for Healthcare Staff Undertaking Home Care Visits and Community Outpatient Services

Friday 16th July from 12-1pm, presented by: HSE AMRIC Team, Prof Martin Cormican, National Clinical Lead Infection Prevention and Control, and Mary Mc Kenna, Infection Prevention and Control, Director of Nursing Asst.
To pre-register and attend copy the following link to your internet browser and follow the instructions: https://hse-webinar.webex.com/hse-webinar/onstage/g.php?MTID=ef949a7b21d849de3b9f82eb7daf54253

For telephone access to listen to the webinar: 01 526 0058, Access code: 175 390 4836

 

HSE Cyber Security Incident Update

While good progress has been made in restoring some of our systems, services around the country are continuing to see significant impacts and disruptions to services. Healthlink, which provides an interface between the HSE and the GP community, has had functionality restored and GPs can now send information to the HSE on their vaccination progress, and other important services.

Visit the HSE website service updates page for regular updates about service changes and follow our updates in the news and on HSE social media channels.

 

Public Health Information

As always, for the most up to date information and advice on Coronavirus, please go to: https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/. Clinical and professional guidance relating to COVID-19 is available on www.hpsc.ie where you’ll find up to date guidance for healthcare settings and non-clinical settings.

 

Please check here for the most up to date partner resources for COVID-19.

 

You can find the COVID-19 A-Z information here from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

 

Please also check the Healthy Ireland site here with further resources and information on the Keep Well campaign.

You can view the latest information on how Ireland is responding to cases of COVID-19 here.

Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub is available here.

 

If your organisation has any requests in relation to COVID-19 public health information materials, please email us at Partner.Pack@hse.ie to let us know.

 

Many thanks and best wishes,

COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement

HSE Communications​​