The aim is to enable the public to avail of boosters “as soon as possible”.
Select members of the public are now able to schedule their own booster vaccine appointments at a small number of clinics through the HSE.
Using technology similar to the system for booking PCR tests, the health service has opened a new self-scheduler through its website here with four vaccination centres offering appointments initially.
The first centres to deploy this technology will be:
- Astro Active Centre, Enniscorthy, Wexford
- Croke Park, Dublin
- Scoil Carmel, Limerick (appointments from Thursday morning)
- The National Show Centre, Swords, Dublin.
Through the four locations, members of the public will be offered over 3,000 individual appointments from Wednesday morning.
People can avail of a booster at a vaccination centre using the self-scheduler if they are:
- aged 40 and older
- pregnant and aged 30 and over
- living in a nursing home or a long-term healthcare facility
- a healthcare worker aged 30 and over
- aged 30 or over and have an underlying condition
These initial clinics will be using the Moderna/Spikevax vaccine only, meaning the option is only available to those aged 30 and over.
People must wait at least three months after their vaccine course before they can get a booster.
The HSE also said in a statement that those who have had Covid-19 since being vaccinated should get their booster dose at least six months after their positive result.
We are launching a self-booking option for #COVIDVaccine boosters in 4 clinics. We are starting with clinics in Croke Park, Swords, Limerick and Enniscorthy. More clinics will be added over the coming days. Book your slot here: https://t.co/vH3IoE0AHb#ForUsAll pic.twitter.com/6cPA8UPfE5
— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) December 21, 2021
Meanwhile, NIAC has recommended that the current wait period for a vaccine following recovery from the virus be shortened from six to three months for those fully vaccinated.
A statement posted to the Government’s website said Health Minister Stephen Donnelly had accepted the recommendation.
It added that the Department of Health and the HSE will now work to operationalise these updates.
According to the health service, learnings from the initial rollout of the booster self-scheduling system will then inform the further use of the scheduler at a wider range of centres over the next week.
“We hope this new option will facilitate people in availing of the booster dose as soon as possible, to better protect themselves and their families and communities from serious illness caused by Covid-19,” the HSE said.
For more information about the online self-scheduler, visit the HSE’s website here.
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