Walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue over mid-term

Walk-in vaccination COVID-19 clinics for doses 1 and 2 of the vaccine continue to take place at Cavan and Monaghan CVC’s for the rest of the week, coinciding with the mid- term break.

Anyone who has yet to receive their first or second dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccination can do so during the below hours at Cavan COVID-19 Vaccination Centre, located at the Hotel Kilmore Cavan town and at Monaghan CVC located at the Glencarn Hotel, Castleblayney.

The clinics are for those 12 years and over, with those under 16 needing to be accompanied by an adult.

The COVID-19 booster vaccination programme has been carried out among people in long-term residential care aged 65 years or older and people aged 80 years or older and not living in residential care.

The vaccine is a single booster dose of either Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of the COVID-19 vaccine course given previously.

While NIAC has recommended that a booster dose of Comirnaty® (Pfizer) vaccine be offered to all those aged 60 to 79 years who have completed their primary course with any COVID-19 vaccine, the booster programme for this cohort has yet to commence.

The booster dose should ideally be given six months (with a minimum interval of five months) following completion of the primary vaccination schedule.

The HSE is asking people with booster shot appointments not to attend walk-in clinics. They should attend the appointment time scheduled for them. Their appointment can be rescheduled if it doesn’t suit them.

Pregnant women who are not vaccinated are advised to talk to their obstetrician, midwife or GP about the risks and benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine. They can then register online or go to a walk-in vaccination clinic. Their maternity hospital or GP can also arrange a COVID-19 vaccine for them.

Cara O’Neill, CHO1 COVID-19 Vaccination Lead and Head of Health and Wellbeing said: “In order to protect yourself, your family, your work colleagues and your community and prevent the spread of the virus, I am appealing to anyone who is unvaccinated or who has not completed their vaccine schedule to please, please come forward. Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases are on the rise across the country and the vaccine provides you with excellent protection against the virus.”

Paula Loughran, Operational Site Manager, Monaghan CVC said:

“It is important for those who have received their first dose, to come forward for their second dose. Please remember that your second dose is due 21 days following your initial dose.”

Dr Augustine Pereira, Director of Public Health North East, said: “While COVID-19 is still circulating in our communities, maintaining public health measures and individual protective practices will be crucial in slowing COVID-19 infection as well as other respiratory infections, to reduce the impact on our healthcare capacity.”

“Every action we take to protect ourselves and those around us to keep cases down and can help our communities stay safe. As more of our activities move indoors during the winter months, we are urging the public to be extra vigilant and act responsibly, in order to minimise the spread in the community.”

“We ask that everyone who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine to avail of it as soon as possible. The majority of new cases in recent weeks have been in the unvaccinated age group. Vaccination is safe and effective way of developing immunity from COVID-19 and reduces the risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. You still need the vaccine to boost your protection, even if you’ve previously had COVID-19.”

Dr Pereira added: “For now, we must continue to wear a face covering, frequently wash hands, keep a physical distance of two metres, avoid crowded places, and adhere to proper cough and sneeze etiquette. These actions are in our control and are effective. Adhering to the public health guidelines has protected your families, friends and the broader community and we thank you for your persistence. We ask that you continue these efforts and keep your guard up, even if you are fully vaccinated.”