People in high-priority groups can now book an appointment to be vaccinated against monkeypox.
11 vaccination centres have opened in locations across the country, including Dublin (St. James', Vincent's and the Mater Hospitals), Cork, Galway, Limerick, Wexford and Portlaoise.
The HSE launched its dedicated online booking system today.
According to the website, those who wish to avail of the vaccine must self-identify as part of a "priority group", which includes people who have:
- Had a bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the past six months
- Had genital herpes for the first time in the past six months
- Had three or more sexual partners in the past three months
- Had group sex in the past six months
Anyone living in Ireland can book an appointment and a PPS number will not be required.
Those who have already had monkeypox are not asked to get the vaccination.
Nearly 500 people have received the vaccine in Ireland so far.
Some 2,000 doses of the vaccine are available, but the HSE is said to be seeking more.
Main image shows a monkeypox and smallpox vaccine scar on man's arm. Picture by: Cristian Storto/Alamy
