AIT opens as vaccination centre for people aged 65-69

Vaccinations of those aged 65-69 who have registered will begin this week in Athlone Institute of Technology and the Midlands Park Hotel Portlaoise.

Appointments for people to attend vaccination centres in Tullamore Court Hotel, Offaly and Bloomfield Hotel, Mullingar and Clonguish GAA Club, Longford, will also commence with the view to having these centres open in the coming weeks.

The vaccine being offered to people aged 65 to 69 is called Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.

AstraZeneca has been approved for use by both the EMA (European Medicines Agency) and NIAC (National Immunisation Advisory Committee), in keeping with the strictest standards of safety and quality.

It is recommended for use in people aged over 60 and licensed by regulators.

Des O’Flynn, chief officer, Midlands Louth Meath Community Healthcare Organisation, said: “Our staff have been working hard to implement the vaccination programme since the beginning of the year, and we are nearing completion of vaccination of healthcare workers, with the vaccination programme in residential settings already completed and we are working on cohort 4.

“The next phase will see the opening of the identified vaccination centres throughout the midlands counties for the next cohort, those aged between 65-69.

“This is a positive and welcome step towards ensuring we can vaccinate people as quickly as possible. I would like to acknowledge the work and commitment of all ur staff who are supporting this delivery. We look forward to welcoming those aged 65-69 for vaccination in the coming weeks.”

Vaccination is by appointment only. The HSE ask people not to go to a vaccination centre without an appointment.

People will not be vaccinated if they do not have an appointment and photo ID. Appointments will be spaced out to keep everybody safe. Don’t be late for your appointment. If you do not arrive on time, you will not get your vaccine.

People should bring your appointment information to the vaccination centre. This will be on your mobile phone or in a letter.

You will also need to bring your photo ID.

This can be your:

• passport – book or card

• driving licence

• Public Services Card

• travel pass

• National Age Card – issued by gardaí

• identification form with a photograph signed by a member of the gardaí– get this from a garda station

You will not be vaccinated if you do not have photo ID.

All 65-69-year-olds should register online if they haven’t already been vaccinated or you haven’t received an appointment yet. If you have an appointment for vaccination already, through work, or because of a health condition, you don’t need to register online.

The quickest and easiest way to register is online at www.hse.ie. It is a new system which will register people, manage appointments, and provide a secure record of your vaccination. This group will be the first to use it and most groups being vaccinated from now on will also use it.

• Register online at www.hse.ie or by phone at 1850 24 1850 for HSE vaccination appointments

• Vaccines will be given during April and May

• Information video explaining how to register is available at https://youtu.be/v1JoC01Omgc

• Privacy statement for the Vaccine Information system https://www.hse.ie/eng/gdpr/data-protection-covid-19/data-protection-covid-19-vaccine-information-system.html

• HSELive is here to answer your questions, 8am-8pm, 7 days a week. Tel: 1850 24 1850 https://www.hse.ie/eng/contact-us