HSE Partner Pack 21st January 2022

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 for healthcare workers, pregnant women and for people over the age of 16. Find the full list of clinics by county here. You can also check @HSELive on Twitter for daily updates. 

COVID-19 Testing 

Full details of how to get tested are available here.

People aged 4 to 39 with symptoms: If you have symptoms of COVID-19, and are aged 4 to 39 you should use antigen tests in the first instance, unless you have a higher risk health condition or you are a healthcare worker. You can book antigen tests online from the HSE. Only book 1 kit per person.

People aged 40 and over with symptoms: If you are aged 40 or over and have symptoms of COVID-19, book a PCR test. Do not book antigen tests. 

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include high temperature, dry cough and change in sense of taste or smell. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, it's very important to self-isolate and get tested as soon as possible. Please do this even if you are part or fully vaccinated against COVID-19. You can find more information here.

If you test positive for COVID-19

If you have a positive (detected) result on an antigen test or a PCR test you should self-isolate (stay in your room) for seven days. There is a high risk you could spread the virus to others.

Read information on antigen testing and what to do if you receive a positive result here.

Read information on what to do if you receive a positive result on a PCR test here.

Close contact of a person that tests positive for COVID-19

If you are a close contact of a person that tests positive for COVID-19, please find guidance here. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Programme 

You can find the latest information on vaccines administered here.

HSE information and expert advice on the COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year olds

Parents or guardians can register their child for the COVID-19 vaccine. HSE information and guidance aims to help parents and guardians of 5-11 year old children make an informed decision about COVID-19 vaccination. 

• Read information and advice on the COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year olds here. 
• Read the information leaflets for parents and guardians here. 

Vaccines are making a difference

Every COVID-19 vaccine makes a difference, helping to reduce the amount of severe illness caused by COVID-19. We thank everyone who has already had their COVID-19 vaccine. If you haven’t registered yet, or someone in your network has yet to do so, they can:

• Check hse.ie for answers they can trust about the COVID-19 vaccines
• Talk to a pharmacist or GP – many are giving mRNA vaccines
• Call HSElive on 1800 700 700

or

• Register online to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

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

COVID 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 now available in a range of languages here. 

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 the public health measures here.  

Update on validity of EU Digital COVID Certificates (EU DCC) for the purpose of travel in the EU

The EU has adopted new proposals on the validity of EU DCC to facilitate the coordination of safe travel in the EU.

From 1st February 2022 the following expiration date will apply to COVID Certificates:

• EU DCC will expire 9 months following a primary 2-dose vaccination series
• EU DCC will expire 9 months following 1-dose series for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine

The new EU DCC are being updated to reflect booster and additional doses. If you received your booster you may have automatically received an updated EU DCC with details of your booster vaccine. If not, you can request an electronic copy of your new DCC by inputting your email address to the online COVID certificate portal. Please note it may take a few days to receive your cert.

If you need help, you can call the DCC Helpline on 1800 807 008 (open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6:30pm).

Living Well programme

Register your interest in the free HSE Living Well online workshops today. This programme supports you to develop skills that help you to live well with a long-term health condition. Workshops are running in January and February. You can read more and register here.

Free flu vaccine for all 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 HSE encourages all at-risk groups to make an appointment with their GP or Pharmacist for their free flu vaccine. People at risk include those aged 50 or over, children aged 2 to 17, people with certain long term conditions, pregnant women and healthcare workers. It’s the best way to be protected from the flu. Find a participating pharmacy.

Keep well this winter

Information is available here including:

• Your guide to keeping well this winter
• How to manage common illnesses
• Advice on when to get emergency help

The HSE phone number for all queries in relation to medical cards, GP visit cards, Drugs Payment Scheme and Long Term Illness scheme has changed

The HSE phone number for all queries in relation to medical cards, GP visit cards, Drugs Payment Scheme and Long Term Illness scheme has changed. Please call 0818 22 44 78 to make enquiries.

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