COVID-19 vaccination offered to those from six months up in Leitrim

COVID-19 vaccines for children aged six months and up are being offered in both Sligo and Leitrim for the first time this week.

While walk-in clinics are available for those aged five years and over are being offered, appointments for children aged 6 months to four years can be booked at www.hse.ie

NIAC recently 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.

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.

Sinead McConnell, General Manager COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, CH CDLMS said: “We are inviting everyone from the age of six months up to get their COVID-19 vaccinations. Those aged six months to sixteen years can avail of their primary doses, while those over sixteen can avail of their first, second and boosters doses.

“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 Leitrim are commencing clinics for children aged six months to four years this week.”

You can get your COVID-19 vaccinations in 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, 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

Thursday, 2nd March

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

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

Saturday, 4th March

9:30am to 11am - 6 months to 4 years

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

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