COVID-19 is still causing ‘hospitalisations and death’ in Ireland, according to the HSE.

They are now launching their COVID-19 Spring Booster Campaign aimed at those aged over 80, those with weak immune systems, and those in long-term care facilities.

Over 6,500 people have tested positive for the virus in Ireland this year.

A person is administered the COVID vaccine. Image: ANP / Alamy Stock Photo

On The Pat Kenny Show today, the Director of the HSE’s Natural Immunisation Office Dr Lucy Jessop said vaccines are the most effective defence against COVID.

“Even though the variance of COVID has changed a little bit over time, this vaccine is still very effective, particularly at preventing hospital visits, intensive care stays, and death,” she said.

“That’s why it’s very important for the people who are eligible to get this vaccine in the Spring booster programme.”

At-risk

Dr Jessop said the aim of the campaign is to protect those most at-risk.

“Targeting those 80 years and over, those with weak immune systems, and those in long-term care facilities,” she said.

“We know for those people your immunity will wane much more quickly than younger people or people who have a normal immune system.

“That’s why these people particularly need to get vaccines more frequently.

“For younger people, their protection lasts at least a year from the vaccine so people who have had it in autumn are still protected.”

A teenage girl receives a dose of Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre in Barcelona, Spain in December 2021. Picture by: Sipa USA / Alamy Stock Photo

Dr Jessop said COVID is “still circulating in our communities”.

“It’s at lower levels than the beginning of the pandemic but we are still seeing hospitalisations and even death now,” she said.

“We know this year, since the start of 2024, we’ve had just over 6,500 confirmed cases that have been tested,” she said.

“Between last week and this week, there has been a 20% increase in cases reported to us.

“Hopefully most people who are vaccinated won’t need to go to the hospital anymore, it can be mild now and it is the vaccine that is protecting us.”

Children

Dr Jessop is also encouraging qualifying children to get the latest booster.

“Any child aged five years and above with a weak immune system, we would recommend for them to come forward and get a booster now,” she said.

“They should phone HSE Live to come into one of our clinics to receive that.”

The HSE is currently using the Pfizer XBB.1.5 vaccine but a non-MMRNA alternative by Novavax called Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5 is also available upon request.

The Spring COVID booster vaccine will be available at participating GPs and pharmacies from Monday, April 25th.

Main image: A sign for the Vaccination Centre in Citywest, Dublin, Ireland. Image: noel bennett / Alamy Stock Photo