LAST UPDATE | 1 Nov 2021

MINISTER FOR HEALTH Stephen Donnelly has approved a recommendation to rollout booster vaccines for healthcare workers. 

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) this evening advised the Minister to roll the vaccine doses out to healthcare workers. 

NIAC advised that the mRNA vaccines Pfizer & Moderna can be used regardless of the initial vaccine course – meaning healthcare workers who got AstraZeneca as their first dose can avail of an mRNA booster dose.

Donnelly said that he had asked the HSE “some time back” to prepare for such a programme for healthcare workers, and has now asked the HSE to roll this out. 

He said that boosters for healthcare workers will begin to be administered this weekend.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has been calling for healthcare workers to receive a booster, amid rising case numbers and growing pressures on Irish hospitals.

Around 3,500 healthcare workers are believed to be off work due to a Covid-related illness.

General secretary of the INMO, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, said that it appeared that healthcare workers were picking up the virus in hospitals.

“We need to ensure that the vaccine booster is provided so that we have the maximum protection,” she said on RTÉ Radio One.

Booster vaccines are to be rolled out to more than 800,000 people aged over 60 starting from this week. Those aged between 60-69 will get their booster shot at a mass vaccination centre, while GPs will administer the jabs to those aged between 70-79.

Booster shots have already been offered to those aged over 80, people in residential care aged over 65, and those who may be immunocompromised.

Donnelly said: “I am advised that for under 60s not immunocompromised, effectiveness of vaccines is sustained against serious illness, hospitalisation and ICU admission.

“However, there is evidence of waning immunity over time of increased risk of breakthrough infection, most of which is mild.”

Hospital pressure

This evening, Mercy University Hospital in Co Cork released a statement to say that there was a high demand for its Emergency Department, and is appealing to the members of the public needing less urgent treatment to avail of other care services were possible.

It said the demand was caused by an increase in the attendances of “acutely ill patients in addition to caring for frail older persons with complex needs”.

Patients with less urgent complaints are advised to contact their GPs, or South Doc is an option for those seeking medical attention outside of working hours, while the Mercy Local Injury Unit, St Mary’s Health Campus, Gurranabraher is open from 8am to 6pm; the Local Injury Unit at Bantry General Hospital operates between 8am and 7.30pm; and the Local Injury Unit in Mallow General Hospital is open from 8am to 8pm.

There were 515 admitted patients waiting for beds this morning, according to the INMO. Of this number, 422 patients are waiting in the emergency department, while 93 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital.

A further 2,855 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Ireland today.

There are 515 patients with Covid-19 being treated in hospital today, an increase of 15 patients since yesterday. Of this number, 91 are in ICU receiving treatment.

Vaccine centres closed today

Covid vaccination centres will be closed today as the HSE rolls out an update to support the booster programme. 

The HSE said some vaccination services won’t be available to ensure the update work can be done quickly and safely. 

In addition to vaccination centres being closed today, people will not be able to register for their vaccine online or by phone. 

GP and pharmacy vaccinations will take place as normal today. Full vaccination services will resume tomorrow. 

“As we move to the next phase of the vaccination programme, it is important these updates take place to ensure we can continue to roll out the vaccine as safely and efficiently as possible,” the HSE said.

HSE chief Paul Reid said this morning that there continues to be a “steady number” of people coming forward registering for a vaccine for the first time. 

Over the past six days, almost 15,000 people have attended vaccination centres, Reid said. 

“It’s never too late,” he said.

HSE Live will be available from 8am to 8pm on 1800 700 700 to answer any queries. 

With reporting from Gráinne Ní Aodha