Spring COVID-19 Booster Campaign
The Spring COVID-19 Booster Campaign commences on Monday 22 April and continues until Friday 31 May.
The following groups are eligible for a Spring Booster:
- those aged 80 years and older;
- those living in long term care facilities for older adults; and
- those aged 5* years and older with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination.
*COVID-19 vaccinations are only provided through Community Pharmacy to those aged 12 years and older.
Further details can be found in HSE Circular NCO-15-2024.
NIAC Immunisation Guidelines Chapter 5a COVID-19 outline the recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines by age and immune status in Table 5a.1. The conditions associated with a suboptimal response to vaccines or weak immune system can be found in the shaded area in Table 5a.2.
Updated clinical guidance and support materials for vaccinators are available on HSE COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Healthcare Professionals.
The national media plan targeted at the eligible cohorts will run from April 22 until 31 May. During this time communications will appear in print, social media, radio and digital displays. Direct communications, SMS text and email messages, will also be sent to those who are eligible for a spring COVID-19 booster dose.
Primary COVID-19 Vaccination Course
Comirnaty XBB1.5 is now the preferred vaccine for primary course vaccinations as well as booster doses. NIAC has also made recommendations in relation to the number of doses and intervals that should be adhered to during the primary course series. Please refer to the full guidance in NIAC Immunisation Guidelines Chapter 5a.
Vaccination Training
The NIO has made updates to the relevant COVID-19 HSeLanD training module relating to Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 30mcg.
Pharmacists are required to review this training module prior to administering Comirnaty XBB1.5 as a primary course vaccination or participating in the Spring COVID-19 Booster Campaign. The module will be made available on HSeLanD in the coming days. The PSI will issue a communication relating to training shortly.
IPU COVID-19 Hub
The Comirnaty Omicron XBB1.5 SOP and the IPU COVID-19 Pharmacy Vaccination Consent Form have been updated to reflect the most recent NIAC Recommendation. They are available to review and download on the IPU COVID-19 Hub.
The IPU COVID-19 Vaccination Hub is being updated as materials become available. We will continue to provide updates via the news section of the IPU website, and the weekly Newsletter. You can also contact the IPU Professional Services team should you have any queries/require support in relation to vaccination services.
HSE PharmaVax User Feedback Survey
HSE PharmaVax have launched a User Feedback Survey to obtain feedback from community pharmacists on their experience of using HSE PharmaVax. They also wish to assess satisfaction with the support service that is currently in place.
Participation is completely voluntary, and if you choose to complete the survey, you will not be asked for any identifying information. However, if you wish to be contacted to discuss your responses further you can provide your email address.
The link to the survey is available on the landing page of HSE PharmaVax on initial log in to the application, it is also available here. The survey will remain open until 16 May.
