The schedule for Ireland’s booster vaccination programme has been accelerated once again, and will be open to all in the new year.
People of all age groups will be eligible to receive a booster vaccine from January 10 the Minister for Health has announced.
This will happen in parallel with children aged 5 -11 years being offered a primary vaccination dose.
From Wednesday, December 29 next week, people aged 30 – 39 will be able to get their booster shot in vaccination centres and pharmacies.
People aged 16 to 29 who received the Janssen vaccine will also be offered a booster from this date through GPs and pharmacies, with vaccination clinics opening to them the following week.
From Monday, January 3 children aged 5 – 11 who have an underlying health condition or live with an at risk person will be able to get jabbed at vaccination centres.
All children in this age group will be eligible for their initial vaccination from Saturday, January 8.
On the following Monday, January 10 booster does will be available to young people aged 16 – 29.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said “As we face into a challenging period, it is important that all groups have the opportunity to be vaccinated with a booster to offer protection to as many people as possible.”
“For most children COVID-19 is a mild illness which will resolve. However, a small minority of children will have more serious disease, and some may experience long-term consequences of COVID-19.”
“As pointed out by NIAC, the potential benefits of vaccination are most obvious for children with underlying conditions, and this is way we are prioritising vaccination for them.”
“COVID-19 has had a significant, negative impact on the lives of all of us, particularly the educational and social lives of our children.”
“The necessary public health measures have disrupted the various developmental opportunities that our children engage in with their peers.”
“All of these factors have informed this decision to accelerate Ireland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme.”
