WITH Covid-19 community transmission remaining high in the Mid West, and increased numbers of hospitalisations, UL Hospitals Group is joining a collective nationwide effort this Bank Holiday weekend aimed at maximising uptake for the Covid-19 vaccination.
Locally, the no-appointment walk-in Pfizer Dose 1&2 vaccine clinics for adults, and children aged 12 and over, will be held in the Mid West Covid-19 Vaccination Centres in Ennis (Thursday and Sunday), Limerick Racecourse (Friday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday), and Nenagh (Friday and Saturday).
Dr Sarah O’Connell, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Group Clinical Lead for Covid-19, urged people who have not yet been vaccinated to attend the clinics, in view of the higher risks for unvaccinated people of infection and hospitalisation with COVID-19.
“We know that vaccination against Covid-19, including the Delta variant, protects very well against severe disease and hospitalisation. Recent studies have shown that unvaccinated people have five times the risk of infection and more than 10 times the risk of hospitalisation or death compared with vaccinated people. Recently we have seen very high rates of community transmission and an increased number of hospitalisations. This has put a further strain on our healthcare system, and it continues to do so unfortunately.
“Walk-in clinics are a great way to get your vaccine if you’re unvaccinated, as no appointment is necessary. Before winter comes, now is the time to protect yourself, your family and friends as much as possible against Covid-19,” Dr O’Connell said.
It should be noted that these walk-in clinics are for Dose 1 and Dose 2 vaccinations only. They are not for anyone seeking a third dose of the vaccine, which is delivered under separate programmes.
Walk-in Clinics for Dose 1 & Dose 2 vaccines have been scheduled in the Mid West this weekend as follows:
Anyone attending walk-in clinics for second doses should bring their vaccine record card with them. Please note that a minimum of 21 days must have passed after Pfizer Dose 1 before Dose 2 is administered. This should be observed also for people who have received AstraZeneca Dose 1 and who are presenting for Pfizer Dose 2.
No appointment is necessary for these clinics, and there is no requirement to register on the national vaccine registration portal. However, children under 16 years must be accompanied to centres by a parent or guardian.
Everyone attending for vaccination, whether for Dose 1 or Dose 2, should bring identification in the form of a birth certificate, or a photo ID (i.e., driving licence, Public Services Card, travel pass, passport, Garda-issued National Age Card, or school or college ID).
For queries, contact the local HSE-approved helpline number on 087 9681240 (9am-6pm, seven days a week). All clinic dates and times and related information will be published on www.hse.ie
Outside of these walk-in clinics, parents or guardians of children aged 12 to 15 may continue to register children on the HSE website via this link: https://vaccine.hse.ie/register
Anyone with queries about Covid-19 vaccination may contact the national helpline on: 1850 241850.
