The health services official moved to reassure people as the roll-out of «extra dose» and «boost» programs for the Covid-19 vaccine begins.
The third vaccines are given to immunocompromised individuals while the booster vaccines will be offered to everyone over 80 and people over 65 in residential settings starting next week.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme, HSE’s head of infection control Professor Martin Cormican said the programs should run smoothly and there was currently a «very good supply» of the vaccine in Ireland.
He added that the additional dose for those who are immunocompromised will include anyone over the age of 12, but will primarily be given to those 16 and over.
«There will be a slight delay for those aged 12 to 15,» he said.
He explained that the reason for this was that they were vaccinated later and there was a need to wait two months.
«This is where you get the most benefit if you let two months pass.»
For this third dose or booster vaccine, Professor Cormican said, HSE would reach out to people.
expected to take Five to six weeks to give third doses to all those who need one doseAccording to HSE.
Looking ahead to winter, he said, it seems likely that the flu will be in this year.
«The path to getting a flu shot is similar to other years.» He added that there is a good supply of influenza vaccine.
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The third dose for immunocompromised patients begins next week – HSE
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