Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Sam Boal

Reader Q&A: The vaccine registration portal for 65-69s is now live - here's how it works

Those aged 69 can register today and will be notified shortly about their appointments.

LAST UPDATE | 15 Apr 2021

FROM TODAY PEOPLE aged over 65 will be able to register their details so they can receive an appointment for a Covid-19 vaccine.

The portal is open for those aged 69 first, rolling out over the following four days to those aged 68, 67, 66 and then 65. 

This is the beginning of the age-based rollout of the vaccination programme, with a similar system due to be used for later cohorts. 

As part of our Reader Q&A series, we have been breaking down the latest developments with the rollout in Ireland, trying to answer as many of your questions as we can.

This week the focus is on how the rollout to those aged 65-59 will work – here are some of the questions readers sent us.

The portal

  • When will the portal be operational?
  • If I have no access to the portal how can I register?
  • Will we be able to book a slot for vaccination ourselves or are we just registering interest?
  • What information will I need at hand to register for the vaccine?

The registration system is now online, first for those aged 69. 

Tomorrow it will be open for those aged 68, Saturday will be the first registration day for those aged 67, Sunday will be the first day for the 66 group and on Monday the portal will be open for those aged 65. 

The HSE has said it is asking people to begin registering on specific days to help manage demand on the system. You will also be able to access this system after those days – registration is not limited to this five-day period.

The registration system can be accessed through the HSE website.

The Taoiseach has said hundreds of people have already registered this morning:

There is a queuing system on the site to manage traffic but it has been moving quickly.

People will be asked to provide basic details such as their name, email address, phone number and date of birth. They will also be asked to provide their PPS number and their Eircode.

The purpose of the system is to register your interest in receiving a vaccine and to make your details available to the health service – you will not be able to book a specific time slot for your own vaccine through the portal.

Vaccines for this group – around 180,000 people – will be given over April and May, starting around one week after registration opens. 

The HSE said appointments will be assigned by age, so it does not matter how quickly you register, ie a 65-year-old who registers on Monday will not get an appointment earlier than a 67-year-old who registers three days later. 

People who do not have access to the internet or who are not confident with using the online portal can call 1850 24 1850 for assistance with the registration process. 

HSE Ireland / YouTube

Choice of vaccine

  • Will people be told in advance which vaccine they’re receiving?
  • My husband and myself suffer from clots with a family history on my side. Is it possible to have the Pfizer vaccine or do we have a choice? We don’t want the AstraZeneca one.
  • As a healthy 69-year-old man, I may be offered the AstraZeneca vaccine in the near future. As there is a history of thrombophlebitis [clots in the leg], can I refuse this vaccine and elect to take another?

The news this week that the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended the AstraZeneca vaccine be used only in those aged over 60 has caused concern among some who are still due to receive it.

The decision was taken after a small number of serious but rare blood clotting disorders were identified in people shortly after receiving a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The European regulator has stated that these blood clotting events should be listed as a possible rare side effect of the vaccine.

These reported events involved blood clots in the brain, abdomen and arteries, together with low levels of platelets and sometimes bleeding. 

Those rare blood clotting events occur in 4-10 cases in every million AZ vaccine doses administered, in which one person may die. As of 4 April, 221 cases of these rare events were reported to the European centralised database. Around 34 million people had been vaccinated in the EEA and UK by this date. 

This week Irish health officials explained that someone aged 60-64 is 85 times more likely to die of Covid-19 than to have any clotting event following the vaccine – this includes all clotting events; regular clotting such as those identified in the leg as well as the rare thrombosis. 

People aged 55-59 are 48 times more likely to die of Covid-19 than get a blood clot.

Evidence shows that these vary rare side effects have been mostly seen in people under 60.

Currently, the AstraZeneca vaccine is the jab that will be used for those aged 65-69. Those over 70 will continue to receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. 

While it is up to each individual to choose whether they want to take a vaccine – and they have a right to refuse a vaccine – it is not possible to refuse one and then request a different one. The advice is to accept whichever vaccine you are offered.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn earlier this week explained that while people who refuse the AstraZeneca vaccine now will not be blocked entirely from receiving a vaccine, they will have to wait considerably longer for an alternative. This means delaying protection from the disease, a particular concern among those aged over 60. 

“If someone aged 65 is thinking of taking this vaccine if it’s offered to them in the coming weeks, versus waiting for the summer when there’s a surplus of other vaccines, I would highly, strongly recommend that they take what they are being offered now,” he said.

“What’s being offered is a very safe, very effective vaccine for their age cohort. The risks of them catching Covid-19… and ending up dying of that disease are far, far, far higher than any potential risk on receipt of one of these vaccines.”

The HSE has said those who have a history of blood clots in the family, as well as those who have recently had a clot or who are on blood thinning treatments should still have the AstraZeneca vaccine when offered it. This advice also applies to those who have a condition or who are on treatment that makes them more likely to get a blood clot – they should still get the vaccine.

“There is no reason to delay vaccination,” The HSE said. “Like everyone who gets the vaccine, you should be aware of the symptoms to look out for.”

These include:

  • breathlessness;
  • pain in the chest or stomach;
  • swelling or coldness in an arm or leg;
  • severe or worsening headache or blurred vision after vaccination;
  • persistent bleeding;
  • multiple small bruises, reddish or purplish spots, or blood blisters under the skin.

Location

  • Can we still attend our own GP for a vaccine?
  • Will we be able to choose our vaccination centre, or at least be guaranteed one near to where we live?

Vaccinations for this cohort will be done at a vaccination centre, not at a GP surgery. 

GPs are currently focused on medically vulnerable groups such as those aged over 70 and those with very high risk and high risk conditions. These vaccinations at GP surgeries will be taking place in parallel to the rollout to those aged 65-69.

When you receive a notification by text message about your appointment, you will get a date, time and the address of a vaccination centre to go to. This will be sent three to seven days before the appointment. 

Here’s the full list of vaccination centre locations:

  • Sligo IT
  • Galway Racecourse
  • Radisson Hotel, Limerick
  • Páirc Uí Chaoimh
  • City Hall Cork
  • MTU Campus Melbourn Building
  • WIT Arena
  • Aviva Stadium
  • Citywest Convention Centre
  • International Arena AIT, Athlone
  • Helix Theatre DCU
  • Letterkenny Institute of Technology
  • Kilmore Hotel, Co Cavan
  • Hillgrove Hotel, Co Monaghan
  • Primary Care Unit, Carrick on Shannon
  • Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar
  • Abbey Hotel, Roscommon
  • West County Hotel, Ennis
  • Abbeycourt Hotel, Nenagh
  • Mallow GAA Club
  • Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre
  • Clonakilty GAA Club
  • Bantry Primary Care Centre
  • Kerry Sports Academy
  • Cillin Hill Conference Centre, Kilkenny
  • The Clonmel Park Hotel
  • Riverside Hotel Enniscorthy
  • Carlow IT
  • Shoreline Leisure Centre, Greystones
  • Arklow Bay Hotel & Conference Centre
  • Punchestown Racecourse
  • Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar
  • Simmonstown GAA Club, Navan
  • Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise
  • Fairways Hotel, Dundalk
  • Clonguish GAA Club, Co Longford
  • Tullamore Court Hotel
  • Croke Park

As part of the registration process people will be asked to provide their Eircode, so it is likely this will be used to ensure they are sent to a vaccination centre that is close to them. 

If you’ve used the registration system today, we want to hear how you found the experience. Email answers@thejournal.ie.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
60 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Galvin
    Favourite Martin Galvin
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 12:48 AM

    Statistics show that 100% of people will die when their number is up ….Time to open everything, live the life that you were given, and for afraid control-freaks to stop stealing time from the next generation ….

    130
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 12:55 AM

    @Martin Galvin:

    Live life to the fullest.. until you get short of breath, collapse and die. Thanks COVID.

    115
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger
    Favourite Ger
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 5:00 AM

    @Martin Galvin: the worst thing about this virus is that it doesn’t pick and choose who to affect. It would be great if people like Sir Tom avoided it in favour of people like you.

    58
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lorcán Coyle
    Favourite Lorcán Coyle
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 7:15 AM

    @Ger: when did Tom Jones die?

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Attilio
    Favourite Attilio
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 7:52 AM

    @Martin Galvin: irresponsible

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerry Ryan
    Favourite Gerry Ryan
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 8:12 AM

    @Martin Galvin: I would encourage you take all the risks you like but please don’t advise others to follow you on the basis of your gut feelings. Your life experience tells you that you are invincible but maybe others just aren’t as invincible as you are.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Justin Gillespie
    Favourite Justin Gillespie
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 10:52 AM

    @Martin Galvin: One the one side we have all the medical specialists with their knowledge an experience advising caution and on the other side we have people like you with nothing only an internet connection telling us not to bother with any of that oul nonsense
    Who to trust….. difficult one that.

    15
    Ed
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ed
    Favourite Ed
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 11:30 AM

    @Ger: what is this Sir nonsense that you speak of?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian
    Favourite Cian
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 12:21 AM

    Has any medical professional explained why the Astra Zeneca is more likely to cause a blot clot in a younger And in most cases healthier Person than it would in an older weaker immune system?

    100
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Furey
    Favourite Paul Furey
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 12:30 AM

    @Cian: the older age group are more vulnerable and the risks are so much greater with not taking the AZ vaccine then actually taking it. The occurrences of blood clots are very rare. The world authorities are acting with an overabundance of caution. I’m an old fella and I’d take the AZ vaccine.

    120
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Guru
    Favourite The Guru
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 1:28 AM

    @Cian: immune response is stronger in young people and that’s what causes the clots.

    46
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger
    Favourite Ger
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 4:58 AM

    @Cian: a guy on the news said last night that it produces a randomly weird immune response in some people that MAY cause the clots. Most of the people who have had clots have been younger but that’s not the reason why they’re only giving them to older people. They’ve said that the risk of serious illness from covid-19 is higher in older people and not so much in younger people so the risk/reward means its better to get older people vaccinated more quickly whereas we can afford to wait a few weeks longer if needs be

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Furey
    Favourite Paul Furey
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 12:21 PM

    @Pat: thanks! Interesting.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Clair
    Favourite John Clair
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 2:12 AM

    I don’t think that ppl aged 6 to 69 who have had strokes or those on blood thinners should be getting the AZ vaccine . U hope they hsve thought that through

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Kelly
    Favourite Pat Kelly
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 6:10 AM

    @John Clair: Thanks for that, Doc.
    There’s a huge amount of expert opinion floating around that disagrees with you, but what would they know?
    I’ve thought it through, like you advised, and I’ve decided that they’re all wrong and you’re the only one who knows how to approach vaccination.
    Thanks again for saving me from an untimely death. The whole world should be indebted to you.

    105
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lily Martin
    Favourite Lily Martin
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 7:09 AM

    @Pat Kelly: I don’t think you realise what an invaluable resource the bulk of the Journal comments section is. We are blessed with numerous people who are experts in medicine, politics, finance etc. Some mere mortals dedicate years of their lives to the study of just one field, and often further years studying one part of one field. I mean, have they never heard of Facebook or YouTube?

    81
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Descolada
    Favourite The Descolada
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 7:11 AM

    @Pat Kelly: now THATS sarcasm

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Whitehead
    Favourite Paul Whitehead
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 8:03 AM

    @John Clair: 1/250,000 chance of clot from AZ… 1/6000 chance of clot on a long haul flight. I assume you will never travel again.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Barrett
    Favourite Dave Barrett
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 8:42 AM

    @Lily Martin: Would you be inferring to those that pontificate from the high stool. The ones who spend days having the answers to everything in life. Except now because of Covid they do it from the arm chair with a can of Bud.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Dolan
    Favourite Paul Dolan
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 10:10 AM

    I wouldn’t trust the HSE one bit

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Terry Larkin
    Favourite Terry Larkin
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 10:34 AM

    @Paul Dolan: I’ve just spoken with the CEO of the HSE and he’s completely gutted by your lack of confidence in him. He was thinking of throwing in the towel and asking you to take over, but I’ve persuaded him to soldier on for the time being.

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Dolan
    Favourite Paul Dolan
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 10:46 AM

    @Terry Larkin: priceless comment.. put a smile on my face this morning

    20
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DJ François
    Favourite DJ François
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 11:25 AM

    @Paul Dolan: cool story bro

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Furey
    Favourite Paul Furey
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 12:21 PM

    @Paul Dolan: you trust the vaccines though….and wouldn’t say no to one …I guess?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard Reilly
    Favourite Gerard Reilly
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 10:14 AM

    Do I take it that everyone who doesn’t want to take the vaccine is never going to get on an aeroplane, or even in a car again, as it is more likely to kill you than the vaccine itself? You don’t have to take it if you don’t want to, we all have a choice.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ciaran enright
    Favourite ciaran enright
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 10:18 AM

    75% of me feels 65 today, can I get 1/2 the vaccine?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Irene Kealy
    Favourite Irene Kealy
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 10:47 AM

    If you are in the 60 to 65 age group but do not register as you don’t want to take the Astra Zeneca vaccine then is it is possible to register later when we have a surplus of other vaccines?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Kelly
    Favourite Pat Kelly
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 11:11 AM

    @Irene Kealy: You will be able to register and you will be offered AZ. If you refuse it, you will simply go to the back of the queue to wait for one of the others but why on earth would you do that? After dodging the dreaded virus for over a year now, why refuse a solution now and possibly die while you’re waiting for a different solution ?
    I’m 69, I registered this morning and I’ll take it in the nuts if that’s how they would like to give it. Any jab will do.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dawid Grzybowski
    Favourite Dawid Grzybowski
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 12:17 PM

    @Irene Kealy: The majority of blood clotting cases were in under 60s because of the immune response, but even then the risk of dying is 1 in a million. You are 85 times more likely to dye from covid if you’re older than 60. Waiting for a different vaccine puts you in danger, the az one is very safe.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sam Harms
    Favourite Sam Harms
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 10:36 AM

    Surely it should only take a week to do 180,000 and not be spread over April and May?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Irene Kealy
    Favourite Irene Kealy
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 10:49 AM

    @Sam Harms: my neighbour who is 72 is still waiting for his first vaccine and some of his friends are also waiting so I would be surprised if they complete the 65 to 70′s in the time frame they claim they will do it.

    9
    D
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute D
    Favourite D
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 2:31 PM

    Signed up this morning. It was so easy and took about 3 minutes. More than happy to take whatever vaccine is offered. One takes a risk crossing the road, so even the AZ vaccine is far less risky than the risks associated with Covid.
    No doubt the usual critics – Alan Kelly, Mary Lou etc- will try to find something to criticise with the rollout. It really must be wonderful inhabiting the perfect Narnia world of opposition politics.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vanc
    Favourite vanc
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 10:15 AM

    What about the over 70s these are not yet vaccinated

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sheila McNulty
    Favourite Sheila McNulty
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 10:31 AM

    @vanc: Did u not read the above article they are still being vaccinated by their GP the 60 to 69 are going to the big centres for their jab so nothing to do with the over 70

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shirley Hollingsworth
    Favourite Shirley Hollingsworth
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 1:48 PM

    @Sheila McNulty: what if you don’t drive.and public transport is not close by

    3
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Terry Larkin
    Favourite Terry Larkin
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 2:19 PM

    @Shirley Hollingsworth: You do what you do to to collect your pension every week, or to do your weekly shopping, or to get to mass/the dentist/the local brothel/the pub/the barber or hairdresser. No brainer really – if you think about it.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Apr 20th 2021, 1:12 PM

    @Terry Larkin: Those are all local services within walking distance. People often have their pensions paid into their bank account. They don’t have to walk long distances to get them.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoghan Deegan
    Favourite Eoghan Deegan
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 10:16 AM

    It’s crazy!! Still so many people who are high risk, or very high risk, but not getting their vaccine as they as late teens or early 20s…..they need protection more than a healthy 65 year old!!!

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Doreen Murphy
    Favourite Doreen Murphy
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 10:40 AM

    @Eoghan Deegan: both need protection. A healthy 65 year old is fifty times more likely to die of Covid than a healthy thirty year old. The health authorities have deemed all younger people, including those with high risk conditions are more at risk from the rare blood clots. Younger people will get a mrna vaccine which is looking more effective so a wait of a couple of weeks may well be worth it. Because of the age risk, we will get the questionable AZ vaccine. I’m not really happy about this. I feel the AZ vaccine is not as effective and is especially poor against variants. I’ll take it as I’m over 65 but I’m hoping we might be offered a more effective second jab.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shirley Hollingsworth
    Favourite Shirley Hollingsworth
    Report
    Apr 15th 2021, 11:11 AM

    So now that all elderly people at home and in homes or hospitals are vaccinated .and some die.there is no post test done on their body to see what they died from.just presumed old age…so I was wondering would it not be important to examine these bodies (rip), to see as the vaccines are pretty new if there was any connection..a lot of people have died since vaccination .and testing on adults could not be a better way to test the vaccine..why is this.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sheila McNulty
    Favourite Sheila McNulty
    Report
    Apr 16th 2021, 3:28 PM

    @Shirley Hollingsworth: old age would be 1 they could have underlying condition as many people in the older age category do The vaccine is not going to keep any of us alive but it will protect us from getting bad Covid or dying from it

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerry Mc Quillan
    Favourite Gerry Mc Quillan
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 1:32 PM

    I am wondering when can a 59 year old register on the portal? I presumed it was on Wednesday but it is still for 60-69 year olds.
    Thanks.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a comment

 
cancel reply
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds