HSE Partner Pack 18th February 2022

COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5 – 11 years

Clinical trials show this vaccine is highly effective at preventing COVID-19 in children. Though serious illness from COVID-19 is rare in this age group, they are even less likely to become seriously ill with COVID-19 if they are vaccinated. 

The HSE has dedicated information for parents on hse.ie, which outlines the benefits and risks of the vaccine and is available here. 

New video explaining the additional dose and booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for people who have a weak immune system

In this video here Dr Eimear Hayes, Senior Medical Officer from the HSE National Immunisation Office answers questions about the additional dose and booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for people who have a weak immune system.

COVID-19 booster (4th) dose for people who are immunocompromised (have a weak immune system)

People who have a weak immune system, also called immunocompromised, can now get a booster (4th) dose. People in this group were offered an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine last year, and can now get a booster dose if it has been 3 months since their additional dose. If they had the Pfizer, Astrazenaca or Moderna vaccine, this booster will be their fourth vaccine dose. If they had Janssen vaccine this booster will be their third vaccine dose. See below for information on how to get your booster dose.

You can find more information here.

Treatment for people at the highest risk from COVID-19

A new medicine is available to treat people with COVID-19 (coronavirus) who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill. Sotrovimab is also known by the brand name Xevudy. It is the first type of COVID-19 medicine available in Ireland. You'll be told by your doctor or consultant if this medicine is for you. Other COVID-19 medicines are expected to become available soon.

You can find more information here. 

COVID-19 vaccine booster

People aged 16 and older can get their COVID-19 vaccine booster dose now. This includes people who have a weak immune system. To book an appointment or find a clinic near you, visit hse.ie. 

You need to wait at least 3 months (90 days) after your vaccine course before you can get a booster dose. If you have had COVID-19 since you were vaccinated you should get your booster dose at least 3 months after your positive result.

Please bring photo ID that shows your date of birth to your appointment or walk-in clinic.

Vaccination clinics

We continue to operate clinics for dose 1 and dose 2 vaccinations (for people aged 12 years and over), and booster vaccine clinics. Find the full list of clinics by county here. You can also check @HSELive on Twitter for daily updates. 

All of our vaccination centres are offering online booking for booster appointments, which can be booked up to 5 days in advance. You can find more information here.

COVID-19 Testing 

Full details of how to get tested are available here.

COVID-19 Vaccination Programme 

You can find the latest information on vaccines administered here.

COVID-19 information in other languages 

Visit hse.ie/translations for a range of COVID-19 vaccine information videos and other resources that have been produced in other languages, including information on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. 

The #LayerUp posters which outline guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities are available in a range of languages. 

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 here for information about the vaccine, information on this page is updated regularly
• Find the vaccine information materials at hse.ie/covid19vaccinematerials
• Details on COVID-19 vaccines administered are available here
• Read the full COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy
• Read the National Immunisation Advisory Committee Chapter about COVID-19 vaccine
• COVID-19 vaccine information for health professionals
• Information in Irish Sign Language: information resources on the COVID-19 vaccines in Irish  Sign Language are available here
• COVID-19 vaccines easy read and accessible information formats are available here
• Translated resources are available here

Public Health Measures 

You can find information on public health measures here.  

Disruption to services in some areas due to Storm Eunice

There may be disruption to services in some areas due to Storm Eunice. Please see hse.ie/storms for updates on closed HSE services and cancelled appointments. This webpage will be updated as we receive the latest information.

Winter pressure on our health service

A range of factors including the impact of winter and the high numbers in hospital and attending Emergency Departments (ED) are leading to a very high demand on both hospital and community services. In line with the HSE Winter Plan, a number of measures are being taken to manage this period of high demand. 

The HSE is asking members of the public to consider all care options before attending hospital EDs, as acute and community services face a period of unprecedented pressure. There are a range of care pathways available to patients who do not need emergency care including Pharmacists, GP, GP Out of Hours Services and Minor Injury Units. Within EDs, patients will be prioritised based on their clinical need.

Applications are now being invited by the HSE for National Lottery Funding Grants

This funding is distributed by the HSE each year to community-based groups and voluntary organisations under the Respite Care Grant Scheme and the National Lottery Grant Scheme.

Groups and organisations involved in the provision of Health and Personal Social Services can apply for once-off funding of between €500 and €10,000 for suitable projects.

Click here for more information including the application form.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 23rd March 2022. Applicants will be advised as to the outcome of their application by 8th July 2022.

Free flu vaccine for at-risk groups

It’s flu season and while anyone can catch the flu, some people are more at risk of catching the flu, getting seriously ill or needing hospital treatment. The is still time for some at-risk groups to get the flu vaccine including people aged 50 or over, pregnant women, people with certain long term conditions and healthcare workers. The HSE encourages these at-risk groups to make an appointment with their GP or Pharmacist for their free flu vaccine. It’s the best way to be protected from the flu. Find a participating pharmacy.

Ireland’s first Autism Information Line  

AsIAm, Ireland’s National Autism Charity has launched a new free telephone helpline, email and web chat service with funding from the HSE.  

The service provides information, guidance and signposting support to autistic people and their support networks.

The support team is made up of a small number of appropriately qualified and trained staff providing individualised responses to each enquiry as quickly as possible.

People can call 0818 234 234 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am-4pm or email support@asiam.ie.

You can find more information here.  

The Active Disability Services Awards

The Active Disability Services Awards have been developed to recognise and reward Disability Services throughout Ireland who have shown leadership and commitment to helping people with disabilities stay active and healthy.  The awards will highlight the commitment of staff, management, and individuals with disabilities as well as highlighting the programmes which have a focus on encouraging and supporting service users to participate in physical activity and healthy practices.

The closing date for entries is Friday, 25th February 2022.

You can find information on the awards here.

Public Health Information

For updated information and advice on Coronavirus, please go to: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/ 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 translated resources here.

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 reply directly to this email to let us know.

Many thanks and best wishes,

Kahlil and Sandra

COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement, HSE Communications