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LAST UPDATE | 20 Jun 2021
THE HSE’S COVID-19 vaccine registration portal is now open for people aged 35-39.
So far, 61% of the adult population have received one dose and 31% are fully vaccinated.
Health officials have warned that this stage of the roll-out will be slower as there are large volumes of people involved and the vaccination programme will rely on supplies of just two brands of vaccine from next month.
As part of The Journal‘s Reader Q&A series, we’ve been breaking down the latest developments with vaccines and the rollout in Ireland, trying to answer as many of your questions as we can.
As the vaccination programme moves on to people aged 35-39, here’s what readers wanted to know this week.
The HSE is asking people aged 39 to register today, followed by those aged 38 tomorrow, and so on. However, anyone aged 35-39 can technically register from today.
The online registration portal on the HSE website opened to this group at 8am today.
To register for a vaccination through the online portal, you need:
People in this age cohort can register online through the HSE website or by phone by calling 1800 851 500. For anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing, there is a HSE text line they can contact at 086 1800 661.
The fact that registration has been opened up for another cohort does not mean vaccination of earlier cohorts will stop, or be de-prioritised. At each stage of the programme, the HSE has invited the next group to register as it moved through previous groups.
Before this cohort, appointments were generally arranged about a week after registration. However it may take longer with this cohort as a large number of people aged 40-49 registered and many are still waiting for their first jabs.
Health officials this week also warned that the pace of movement through this next cohort will be slower as there is a large volume of people involved and the supply line will switch to just two vaccines – Pfizer and Moderna – in July.
This is because these are the only two vaccines recommended for people in younger age groups and the HSE is expecting to have received enough of the other two vaccines by that stage to finish the full two-dose schedule for older cohorts.
Damian McCallion, National Director Covid Vaccination Programme, this week said given the numbers involved in this cohort and the expected demand, it will probably be a “three to four week cycle” – so people can expect a first appointment within three to four weeks after they register.
As with all other age groups previously invited to register online, this invitation is for everyone in Ireland aged 35-39, including those within this age range who may be in another vaccine allocation group and are not yet vaccinated such as:
Once a person has registered, the HSE will send appointment details by text message, three to seven days before their vaccination is due to take place. People in this group will be vaccinated at one of the HSE vaccination centres around the country.
Everyone in this age cohort will receive either a Pfizer or a Moderna vaccine, with most people receiving Pfizer as there are much higher volumes of that particular jab coming into the country.
The HSE is still not offering a choice of vaccine. People can decline the offer of a vaccine, but they will not be offered an alternative vaccine.
Earlier this week pharmacists began administering the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine, but this is restricted to those aged over 50. This vaccine has not been recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee for use in people aged 35-39.
Under the NIAC recommendations a pregnant woman who is between 14 and 36 completed weeks pregnant can be referred for a vaccine following a risk/benefit discussion with her obstetric care-giver.
When asked by The Journal about pregnant women in this age cohort, the HSE said those who are eligible to register should have the discussion with their obstetric care-giver before registering.
The Covid-19 vaccines were not tested on pregnant women during clinical trials. But more than 100,000 pregnant women in the US have now had a Covid-19 vaccine. No safety concerns have been raised for these women or their babies.
“The information we have so far shows that the Covid-19 vaccines do not have any negative effect on babies in the womb. Recent reports have shown that pregnant women pass on antibodies from the vaccine. This may help to protect their babies after birth,” the HSE website says.
“The Covid-19 vaccines are not live vaccines, so they cannot infect either mother or baby with Covid-19. The vaccines are rapidly broken down in the body and cannot become part of your or your baby’s DNA.”
The first dose should be at or after 14 weeks of pregnancy. The second dose should be before the end of 36 weeks of pregnancy.
If the second dose is not given by the end of 36 weeks, it should be delayed until after you have your baby. This is because you may get a fever after the second dose.
The vaccines were also not tested on breastfeeding women during trials, but information so far shows Covid vaccines do not have any effect on breastfed babies. There is no known reason to avoid breastfeeding if you are vaccinated.
The HSE says if very small parts of the vaccine get into your breast milk, they will be digested in your baby’s stomach.
“Your vaccine is rapidly broken down in the body and cannot become part of your baby’s DNA. It cannot infect your baby with Covid-19.”
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Registered 20 days ago. I’m in my 40s. No appointment yet.
@AA: same here and I’m in the high risk group.
@AA: I’m 42, registered 2/6/21 and am getting the Pfizer vaccine tomorrow at Limerick racecourse. Its was weird, the appointment text was received by text 15/6/21 but didnt show up in my notifications and I only noticed it on the 17/6/21.
@AA: typically takes up to 3 weeks, best would be to call HSE help line on 1850 24 1850
@AA: I’m 40, registered last week and received a text today for an appointment next Thursday. I am in Dublin, so location may have an impact on capacity, I guess.
@AA: same happened to my father in law. He went to his nearest vaccination centre after 4 weeks and they gave him his shot at the end of the day from the leftovers due to no-shows etc. Seems system is broken in places.
@AA: log into the portal and see if you have an appointment and just didn’t get the text, happened a few of my friends
@AA: will probably better if you contact HSE on this rather than highlight it here?? The Journal ain’t going to do anything about it for you.
@Claudia O’Riordan: if you’re in a high risk category you should have contacted your GP or hospital consultant long before now.
@cmfoley: I did, my GP messed up, was giving me dates since April and after requested me to register by my age
@AA: took about 3.5 weeks before I received my appointment.
@AA: I’m in my mid 40′s, registered on the 4th June, vaccinated on the 8th in Cork, I know friends in Kildare & Dublin who are same age that are only getting 1st dose in a few days, so really depends on where you’re located
@AA: sorry to hear- highly recommend you contact your GP – I’m lucky that mine is on the ball I’m 41 and got first before my age group opened and second one will be the 1st July.
@AA: Just back from getting my first in Limerick racecourse. In and about in 35 minutes, excellent system.
A lot of GP clinics aren’t set up to give certain vaccines because of the refrigeration needs. Plus many already have a heavy workload. It’s honestly quicker to register.
@AA: I’m 36. Haven’t registered yet. Getting first jab in GP Tuesday morning
Iam in my 50s and feeling excited for these youngfellas. Onwards and upwards.
@Paul Gorry: In your 50? Always thought you were a young fella! :D
If over 80% of the population get both vaccines by say September, what is the likelihood of a winter lockdown happening again, as we have seen already reports of over crowding in hospitals and there’s a low number of people in there with covid. I have no hesitancy taking this vaccine, but people will ask, what the point is if we end up back in some kind of lockdown again before the year is over…
@Michael Healy: Back in lockdown? We’re still in lockdown!
@Michael Healy: You mean for the ‘back to normal’ seasonal trolley crisis. I doubt they would use a lockdown because the horse has bolted. By the time the hospitals are packed, you’ve hit the peak It will be difficult in the years both influenza A & B and Covid all happen to have strong variants. We could follow the east Asian style of using a mask on public transport if you feel unwell, but I can’t see that happening here.
Right all the elderly and high risk people are vaccinated, good, so can someone please tell me the risk, % risk of someone dying in this age bracket of covid please. Because if its high i might just get it.
@Tac: not quite true, full efficacy is only reached after both doses have been received. People of any age can suffer from long covid, it’s not just mortality
@Tac: you should read the other article on here about the Delta variant in the UK. Seems a good proportion of the cases are in the younger age groups, it also discusses hospitalizations and fatalities.
@D. Memery: Thanks for….
@Tac: no we are not !!!
@Tac: I don’t think they are. Plenty of people with underlying conditions are still eagerly awaiting their second jab appointment text. Whatever about dying, it’s a miserable thing to catch & there’s long Covid to deal with plus all those UK visitors dying to visit Ireland asap, who could easily be carrying the D variant and immune to it themselves. I’d get it if I were you, if you’re not in, you can’t win :-D
Is anyone not getting the vaccine?
The 60-69 group only got first jab 4 weeks ago. A HSE disgrace
@trebloc01: should they have skipped ahead if the 70 – 79 year olds?
Its not a HSE disgrace, its about supply.
If they don’t receive enough doses they can’t distribute them. Why can’t people see the simple things. Its not like the HSE are sitting on masses of the vacine and leaving it in storage. They are getting it out as quick as they can.
@Pat ALTHEA: this group get the AstraZeneca and there was no shortage of supplies…..
@trebloc01: moan, moan, moan, moan……etc
@Barbara Stewart: there was shortages of astra, literally all over the news a few weeks back, in fact it was so bad that the EU were going to bring them to court over it.
@Barbara Stewart: but whats your point? Who cares which one they get so long as you get one if you want one. There was shortages for a good few weeks. What news have you been reading
@Sal Paradise: respect, please!
Would it not make sense to finish the previous cohert first before moving on?
17 days waiting with no appointment yet (likely Citywest)
I’ll be 41 shortly
Pregnant women should talk to their obstetrician is the advice. I’m sure the HSE knows that 86% of pregnant women are public patients and never speak to an obstetrician during their pregnancy, they see only midwives.
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