Vaccination Service Update

HSE CCO letter encouraging vaccine uptake

The HSE Chief Clinical Officer (CCO), Dr Colm Henry has issued a letter to all vaccinators seeking your support to encourage eligible persons to avail of their flu and COVID-19 vaccines if they have not yet received them, ahead of what we know will be a busy winter time. Vaccination uptake is currently lower than expected for this time of year and, in order to avoid high levels of respiratory illness and the associated burdens on patients and the health systems later this season, your support in encouraging anyone who is at greater risk of infection to act now and seek to protect themselves by getting their vaccines would be greatly appreciated.

The CCO highlights that it is important that everyone, especially people living with long term health conditions, older people and anyone who is at greater risk of infection avail of a flu and COVID-19 vaccination where eligible. Those eligible for vaccination during the Autumn Winter Vaccination Campaign can be found here. The letter from the CCO can be found here.

CMO Letter encouraging LAIV delivery in a school setting

The Department of Health Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Prof. Breda Smyth has issued a letter to the IPU in connection with the 2023/2024 influenza vaccination programme which is available here. Within this letter Prof. Smyth acknowledges the key role pharmacists are playing in the provision of vaccination services. She highlights the need to facilitate higher vaccination uptake rates amongst the population, particularly those aged two to twelve years to provide the best possible protection for the population as a whole. As a result, the CMO asks members to avail of the opportunity to provide vaccination services in school and crèche setting where feasible.

The HSE National Immunisation Office (NIO) have produced a ‘Toolkit to Support the Administration of Flu Vaccination to Children in Primary Schools or Community Settings by Primary Care’ and the PSI has issued ‘Guidance to support pharmacies in providing safe vaccination services offsite from the pharmacy premises’ to assist pharmacists providing this service. Further support can be found on the HSE Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme 2023/24 webpage and the IPU Flu Hub.