The HSE is urging parents in Carlow and Kilkenny to register their children for school vaccinations.

The HSE is urging parents and guardians across Carlow and Kilkenny to protect their children by registering for school vaccinations.

The HSE’s immunisation programme will begin in schools across the country from September 26th.

They say you should keep an eye out for and return the consent form.

Students in junior infants and first year will be given consent packs to bring home in the coming days and weeks. Parents can access information about the programme from immunisation.ie.

People aged 12–49 with long-term health conditions and healthcare workers in the South East are invited to get their next COVID-19 booster vaccine.

The HSE in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford is reminding everyone that boosters give protection against serious illness and increases immunity.

Appointments are available from today for vaccination centres, including:

· Clonmel Vaccination Centre, Gortnafleur, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, E91 WR29

· Enniscorthy Vaccination Centre, Immunisation Centre, Disability Building, St. John’s Hospital, Munster Hill, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford Y21 N902

· Kilkenny Vaccination Centre, Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital, Kilcreene, Kilkenny, R95 DK07

· Waterford Vaccination Centre, WIT Sports Campus, Carrignore, Waterford, X91 XD96

To book your next booster, you can book a booster appointment online at HSE vaccination clinics – this is an easy and convenient way to get your booster by selecting a time and date that suits you.

You can also check with participating GPs and pharmacies.

People who are more than 16 weeks pregnant are also invited to book their next booster at a HSE vaccination centre or from participating GPs and pharmacies.

The HSE and Children’s Health Ireland will shortly be inviting, through their parents, children aged 5-11 years who are immunocompromised and now due to have their first booster, following completion of their primary COVID-19 vaccine course.

Registration is also open for those aged over 50 to receive their second booster vaccine.

Speaking today, Kate Cassidy (General Manager, HSE/South East Community Healthcare COVID-19 Response Team) says: “People aged 12–49 with long-term health conditions and healthcare workers can now register to get their next booster dose. We have plenty of availability at our centres. If you haven’t had your first vaccination, it’s also not too late, you can still access the information through the HSE website and book an appointment. “

She adds, “As reiterated by our colleague, the HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Colm Henry, we know that those who have long-term health conditions are at greater risk from serious illness from COVID-19. Getting a second booster vaccine now will help protect these people, particularly as we come in to the autumn. We are now also calling Healthcare Workers for their next COVID-19 booster. We know immunity from COVID-19 vaccination and previous COVID-19 infection decreases over time, so getting your booster when it’s due will give you the best protection from serious illness, and increase immunity against infection from COVID-19.”

She continues, “Those who have long-term health conditions, for example diabetes, asthma or heart disease should now come forward for their second booster. More information on who is eligible is available at www.hse.ie

The HSE will continue to be active over the next few weeks in our services, in the media and online, encouraging people to come forward for these and all other relevant COVID-19 vaccines. The HSE also strongly urges people who have not yet received a primary COVID-19 vaccine dose to consider doing so for dose one or dose two of the vaccine, or to register for an appointment.”