28 Jan 2022
HSE Partner Pack 28th January 2022
A message from Paul Reid, CEO of the HSE:
Dear Colleagues
The announcements by the Taoiseach last Friday signalling the end of so many restrictions reflected the very welcome atmosphere of hope that has emerged recently, after a very traumatic two years. Today marks two years since the National Crisis Management Team was established within the HSE. Throughout the pandemic, that team has worked to ensure that the HSE acts in the best interest of the public, and it continues to ensure that everything we do is guided by the best public health advice.
We are continuing to monitor the disease, manage our COVID-19 related services and work to ensure that all our services, across all sectors operate as well as they possibly can. We are continuing to urge all those who still require a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose to come forward. We have seen the huge positive impact that the COVID-19 vaccine has made on the impact of the disease on people and our society.
It is important at this hopeful moment to re-iterate the gratitude we all feel for the extraordinary work carried out by you, our partner organisations all over the country over the past two years. You have contributed so much throughout the pandemic by helping to share information about COVID-19 and the vaccine programme to your members, staff and networks.
As we begin to adapt to a new reality of reduced restrictions and greater openness, however, we continue to urge everyone to retain awareness around COVID-19 and to be mindful of those who are immunocompromised. At a senior operational level within the HSE, while there are many reasons to be hopeful, we are ensuring that we are in a state of readiness should any new variant or any cause for concern emerge.
We have always said that when this public health emergency ends we want to retain the innovation, partnerships, good practice and flexibility we have witnessed and experienced over the past two years. Our planning will be appropriately structured to reflect this.
Thank you again for all that you have contributed since the start of the pandemic.
Paul Reid
Chief Executive Officer
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. 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.
Most people will not need or benefit from these medicines. Most people can treat the symptoms of COVID-19 at home.
The best way for most people to protect themselves from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and get a booster dose, when they can.
HSE information and expert advice on the COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year olds
COVID-19 vaccine registration remains open for children aged 5-11. A parent or legal guardian can register and give consent here.
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.
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.
COVID-19 vaccine booster dose campaign partner pack
New print ads and a radio ad are now available, reminding people that everyone aged 16 and over needs a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure the best possible protection against serious illness from COVID-19.
We would be grateful if you would share the booster dose campaign information with your networks. The COVID-19 vaccine booster dose campaign partner pack is available at the bottom of this email.
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.
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.
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
If you cannot register online, you can call the COVID-19 helpline at Freephone: 1800 700 700 to register by phone.
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.
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
Consultation on the draft National Standards for Infection and Prevention Control (IPC) 2022 is now open until 5pm, 18th February 2022.
As chair of NCEC Guideline Development Group I am seeking your feedback on the above draft guideline which is available in the links below.
The guidelines are for people working in healthcare. This includes healthcare workers, management and support staff. They are also relevant to people using healthcare services (these sections are highlighted in the text).
The draft document has 360 pages, so for practical reasons it is fine to limit feedback to areas in which you take a particular interest or have particular expertise.
Information on how to submit feedback is available here.
Read the Draft National Standards for Infection and Prevention Control (IPC) 2022 here.
These guidelines will be a practical support to IPC practitioners and others in their work to control healthcare associated infection. Your feedback will be invaluable in helping to ensure that the document fulfils its intended purpose.
Email Margaret.culliton@hse.ie if you have a questions about this consultation.
HSE-AMRIC is supporting the drafting of the National Standards for Infection and Prevention Control (IPC) 2022 with the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee as part of the Guideline Development Group (GDG).
Professor Martin Cormican, Chair of the Guideline Development Group
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.
Safeguarding and restrictive practice within Intellectual Disability services webinar
The HSE National Safeguarding Office and the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers Safeguarding Reference Group are pleased to co-host this event on Tuesday, 1st February (10-11:30am).
You can find more information and register for the webinar 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
Contact Information
HSE Partner Pack
kahlil.coyle@hse.ie
Powered by Onclusive PR Manager © 2024