HSE issues warning over vaccination appointment text scam

Be careful.

The HSE has urged the public to be vigilant following reports of a text scam from criminals claiming to be offering a HSE vaccination appointment. According to the HSE, the text messages provide a link to prebook a Covid-19 vaccination appointment but in order to complete the booking, people are asked to enter their credit or debit card details in a payment section. "The HSE does not charge the public for Covid-19 related services, including vaccinations, and such texts should be ignored," a statement from the HSE reads. "You will NEVER be asked for your bank details or to pay for a vaccine by a member of HSE vaccination staff."

Be vigilant in relation to texts offering #COVIDVaccine appointments. The HSE does not charge for #COVID19 related services, including vaccinations. You will NEVER be asked for your bank details or to pay for a #COVIDVaccine. https://t.co/oFNOJBPgw9 pic.twitter.com/O9bKRR8OKd

— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) July 30, 2021

Those concerned or suspicious about any contact they have received regarding Covid-19 vaccinations are asked to call HSELive on 1800 700 700 and contact their local Gardaí. Meanwhile, to register for your Covid-19 vaccine, go to hse.ie. The HSE will send a text message that provides details of your appointment and two links. One is the vaccine information leaflet and the second allows you to consent online. On Friday evening, 1,501 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Ireland. As of 8am, 169 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 23 are in ICU. In a statement accompanying the figures, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: "Vaccination and the incredible uptake across many age groups is leading us to a turning point in the pandemic. "If we experience similar uptake in the younger cohorts as experienced in the over 60’s, Ireland will have a strong population-level defence against Covid-19 and its known variants."