People with health conditions invited to come forward for Covid booster vaccine

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People aged 12 to 49 with long-term health conditions and healthcare workers are being invited to make an appointment for their second Covid booster dose.

Those who are aged over 50 and people who are more than 16 weeks pregnant are also invited to book their next booster at a HSE vaccination centre or from participating GPs and pharmacies.

Many people receiving a further dose will get a new vaccine from Moderna, which combats both the original Covid virus and the recent Omicron variant.

The UK became the first country in the world to authorise the vaccine when the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approved it on August 16.

Care home residents and people who are housebound will be among the first to be vaccinated as the rollout begins from September 5. A wider rollout is due to start on September 12.

'Next generation' Covid jab to be used as a booster from September

Dr Colm Henry, HSE chief clinical officer, said: “We know that those who have long-term health conditions are at greater risk from serious illness from Covid-19.

“Getting a second booster vaccine now will help protect these people, particularly as we come into the autumn.

“We are now also calling healthcare workers for their next Covid-19 booster.

“We know immunity from Covid-19 vaccination and previous Covid-19 infection decreases over time so getting your booster when it’s due will give you the best protection from serious illness, and increase immunity against infection.”

All you need to know about Wales' autumn Covid booster programme

How do I know if I'm eligible for an autumn booster jab?

Around 26 million people will be offered a booster jab this autumn.

Those who are eligible include:

  • All adults aged 50 and over

  • Residents and staff in care homes for older people

  • Frontline health and social care workers

  • Unpaid carers aged 16-49

  • People aged 5-49 who are clinically vulnerable (including pregnant)

  • People aged 5-49 who are household contacts of someone who is immunosuppressed

Eileen Whelan, HSE national lead for test, trace and vaccination, said: “From today we are moving into the next groups who are due their next booster.

“Those with long-term health conditions aged 12 to 49 can book their booster appointment from today once it has been four months since their last Covid-19 vaccination or since they were last infected.

“Healthcare workers can also book their next booster appointment from today.”

The HSE and Children’s Health Ireland will shortly be inviting, through their parents, children aged five to 11 years who are immunocompromised and now due to have their first booster, following completion of their primary vaccine course.

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