DUBLIN: The Health Service Executive has said that vaccinations for children aged 12 to 15 would commence in Ireland within the next two weeks.
Following new recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), about 280,000 children in this age group will be eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.
Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said that some logistical issues need to be resolved before opening the online portal for registration. The HSE’s IT systems are also being updated to accommodate the details of these newcomers.
”We’ve got to prepare the consent forms that parents will need to consider and make the right decision for their child,” Dr Henry said.
Dr. Henry said the HSE is also closely analysing the information it would provide to the public on the efficacy of vaccines and their benefits for children.
Over 30,000 people attended walk-in vaccination centres at weekend
HSE CEO Paul Reid said that more than 30,000 people attended walk-in COVID-19 vaccination centres across the country at the weekend.
“All age groups went through but this initiative makes us beyond proud of younger people. When needed, they once again showed up in numbers,” Mr Reid said this morning. Many of those attending the centres were aged 16 and 17, he added.
Dr Henry said the HSE is also considering reopening a few more walk-in vaccination clinics following huge demand over the weekend.
The HSE is also planning to offer a COVID-19 booster dose along with the annual flu vaccine. This follows NIAC’s preliminary advice last week.
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