People between the ages of 18 and 49 can make an appointment starting today for their second booster dose of Covid-19.
The clinical director of the HSE said he was “very concerned” about the sharp increase in cases of Covid-19, flu and other respiratory diseases at the moment.
Dr Colm Henry said GPs and hospitals are working hard to help people, but there has been an over 100% increase in the number of flu cases and people needing flu hospitalisation.
Since yesterday morning, 35 people are being treated for Covid-19 in intensive care.
“In the week ending on December 24, we had 2,329 flu cases reported, compared to 1,174 the previous week,” he said, reports Independent.
The national leader of the Covid-19 vaccination program at the HSE has encouraged everyone to get the second booster dose.
Eileen Whelan said: “We are putting the most recent vaccine advice from NIAC (National Immunisation Advisory Committee) into action and inviting everyone aged 18-49 for their second booster, once it is 6 months since their last vaccine or since they have had a Covid-19 infection,” reports Independent.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has extended the Covid vaccination program to people aged 18 to 49 in a bid to prevent hospitals from being overrun by a triple peak of the virus.
The pressure on hospitals and other sectors of the health service is exacerbated by an increase in cases of influenza and a significant increase in cases of other respiratory infections.
The HSE has set up a national crisis management team to oversee the response to the increase in winter virus infections. Rising infections are expected to put further pressure on health services in the new year.
Doctors’ organisation, the Irish Medical Organization (IMO), said there has been a significant increase in the demand for medical treatment due to the prevalence of flu, Covid-19 and other respiratory conditions.
It comes as the US said yesterday it would require anyone arriving from China to have a negative Covid test, after an explosion of Covid cases in China when it rescinded its “zero covid” policy.
Some 37 million people in China may have been infected in a single day last week, while half of passengers on a flight from China to Milan tested positive.
Officials said last night that the HSE will now have to implement a major vaccination program for the 18-49 age group. The vaccines will be distributed through vaccination centres, while participating pharmacies and general practitioners are also likely to be used.
Mr Donnelly’s decision follows advice from the National Advisory Board on Immunization, which was also accepted by the chief medical officer.
This, in practice, means that they can choose whether or not to receive the booster vaccine, as they wish.
People who want to get the latest booster must have six months left since their last sting, or since they last had Covid.
Anyone who works as a carer or lives with someone who is immunocompromised will be strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.
The minister now expects the HSE to roll out the expanded vaccination programs in the coming weeks.
The third doses of the booster vaccine are currently being offered to people 65 and older and people 12 and older with weak immune systems.
The second boosters are offered for people over the age of 50. Anyone aged 12 or over who has a condition considered high risk for Covid, such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease, also qualifies for a second booster.
Similarly, women who are more than 16 weeks pregnant are eligible for a booster, as are health care workers and people 12 years of age and older who live in a long-term care facility.
An early booster is available for everyone ages 12 and up, as well as children ages 5 to 11 with weak immune systems.
The IMO has also announced temporary supports as general practitioners face growing demand and the health service is under severe pressure.
The HSE has written to doctors acknowledging the pressures on them and the increased workload.
It admitted this will continue for several weeks for doctors and acute care hospitals.
The HSE is offering more support and grants to help doctors expand existing clinics or run new ones.
However, it acknowledged that not all practices will be able to do this.
Many people on social media claim that it’s “pure propaganda” and that they won’t be taking any further jabs.
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