COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to 4 years announced

Today, (Friday, 17th February) the HSE has announced that from next Monday (20th February), they will provide COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 months to 4 years for a COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments may be booked from today on www.hse.ie.

NIAC has recommended COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to 4 years with underlying conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19.

NIAC has also recommended that COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to all others in this age group to protect them from severe disease, provide extra protection from the rare risks of serious illness from COVID-19 (e.g. multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children), as well as providing the modest benefit in reducing household transmission to those immunocompromised or too young for vaccination.

NIAC has also stressed the safety profile of the vaccine and the comparable immunogenicity to that in older children and adolescents.

Dr Aparna Keegan, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, HSE National Immunisation Office (NIO) said; “We are encouraging parents to familiarise themselves with HSE advice on the Children’s COVID-19 vaccine with information available at www.hse.ie. We know from listening to parents they have questions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine for their children. This is why we have provided information on our website to help parents make an informed decision.

“While serious illness from COVID-19 in this age group is rare, this vaccine offers further protection particularly for children who have health conditions that put them at high risk of severe COVID-19.”

Children in this age group will require three doses of the vaccine with an interval of three weeks between dose one and two and at least eight weeks between dose two and three.

It is also recommended that the COVID-19 vaccine is separated from the administration of other vaccines by 14 days.

Paula Loughran, Acting General Manager COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, CH CDLMS said: “Community Vaccination Centres across the country will commence the roll out of clinics from Monday onwards with many commencing clinics later in the week and over the following weekend. At present the vaccination is only available through the community vaccination centres.

“Clinic details will be updated on www.hse.ie on a rolling basis so parents are advised to check the website for updates on clinic availability in the coming weeks. Sligo will commence clinics for children aged six months to four years on February 26th.”

You can get your COVID-19 vaccinations in Sligo Leitrim at the below times and dates:

Leitrim Vaccination Centre, North West Business Park and Technology park, Castlecarra road, Carrick on Shannon, N41 DP73

Saturday 18th February

9:30am – 12:30pm 12yrs and over

1:15pm – 4:30pm 12yrs and over

Thursday 23rd February

9:30am to 12:45pm 12yrs and over

1:30pm to 4:30pm 12yrs and over

Saturday 25th February

9:30am to 11am Children 5-11yrs

11:30am to 1:30pm 12yrs and over

2:15pm to 4:15pm 12yrs and over

Sligo COVID-19 Vaccination Centre, Sligo Development Centre, Cleveragh Road, Sligo, F56 W2Kh.

Friday 17th February

11:30am to 2:30pm 12yrs and over

3:15pm to 7pm 12yrs and over

Saturday 18th February

8:30am to 12:30pm 12yrs and over

1:15pm to 2:30 pm 12yrs and over

3pm to 4pm Children 5-11 yrs

Tuesday 21st February

9:30am to 1:30pm 12yrs and over

2:15pm to 4:15pm 12yrs and over

Wednesday 22nd February

9:30am to 1:30pm 12yrs and over

2:15pm to 4:15pm 12yrs and over

Friday 24th February

11:30am to 2:30pm 12yrs and over

3:15pm to 7pm 12yrs and over

Saturday 25th February

9:30am to 11am Children 5-11 yrs

11:30 am to 1:30 pm 12yrs and over

2:15pm to 4:15pm 12yrs and over

Sunday 26th February

09:30am to 11am – 6 months to 4 years

11:30am to 1:30pm - 6months to 4 years

2:15pm to 4:15pm – 6 months to 4 years