Covid - 19 primary and first booster doses are available in Donegal this week

Covid - 19 primary and first booster doses are available in Donegal this week Those aged 12 years and over wishing to avail of getting their primary or first booster Covid-19 doses can do so this week.

The following groups will be eligible for a Covid - 19 vaccination during the 12+ clinic:

- Primary courses for those aged 12 and older

- First booster dose for people aged 18 years and over (12 years and over if immunocompromised), if it has been at least four months since they completed their primary course

- Pregnant women in the appropriate stage of pregnancy and the time since last dose of vaccine. Please refer to latest NIAC recommendations for Covid - 19 vaccination in pregnancy https://rcpi.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_3537e4d8-e170-4922-b566-8cfc6b148ed2/

From the end of this week, community vaccination centres will start to wind down with the exception of a small number of clinics over the summer mainly for the six months to four years and 5-11 years children’s programme. These appointments can be made on www.hse.ie

Participating GPs and Pharmacists will continue to provide Covid - 19 vaccines for pregnant women and primary courses and first boosters for those aged 12 years and older.

Vaccination clinic in Donegal this week:

Tuesday, June 20

Letterkenny Covid - 19 Vaccination Centre, Building 1b IDA Business Park, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, F92 FP83  9.15am to 5.15pm- clinic open to those aged 12 years and over

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee develops immunisation guidelines for Ireland based on the latest evidence, international best practice and epidemiology. Recently updated advice with regard to Covid - 19 booster doses has recommended a change to seasonal boosters.

The spring booster programme ended on Friday, June 16. However further boosters will be available to those eligible in Autumn.

For those healthy aged 18-49 years and who are up to date with their vaccines (primary course and first booster) an autumn booster vaccine is not routinely recommended. However, access to an autumn booster vaccine will be available for those who, following discussion of their reasons with a health care provider (e.g., GP, pharmacist or vaccination centre), request vaccination.

The reason for the latest NIAC advice is that age is the strongest risk factor for severe Covid - 19 outcomes. Adolescents and young adults have the highest protection from Covid - 19 mainly due to infection and vaccination. For them, protection against severe disease can be anticipated to extend beyond 12 months and sooner boosting is not indicated.

General Manager of Covid -19 Vaccination Programme, Sinead McConnell, said: “We are running two further Covid -19 vaccination clinics in Donegal on Wednesday for those wishing to avail of their primary or first booster doses over the age of 12 years. With Covid - 19 still active in our communities, we would ask those who have not already got their vaccinations to take this opportunity to do so.”