New COVID-19 leaflet to support people with a weak immune system

We have published a new information leaflet on Living with COVID-19 if you have a weak immune system, which is available to download in English and Irish. Some people may have a weak immune system because they have a health condition or are getting treatment for a health condition. This leaflet gives information on:

  • what causes a weak immune system
  • how many COVID-19 doses you should have received
  • how to act fast on symptoms of COVID-19
  • keeping safe day-to-day

We hope that this new leaflet will help as a support for people with weak immune systems as they continue to protect themselves from COVID-19.

If you have a weak immune system

People aged 12 years and older who have a weak immune system previously had one additional dose of vaccine, and were also offered a first booster dose earlier in 2022. The HSE is issuing SMS reminders to people in this group as their second boosters become due. Clinicians will also be identifying people who have become immunocompromised recently to be added to this group.

For more information on specific conditions or treatments, please find details here.

People aged 65 years and over reminded to get second COVID-19 booster vaccine

The HSE is reminding all those aged 65 years and over that they can avail of their second COVID-19 booster vaccine. Those with a weak immune system aged 12 and over can also get their second booster, when it is due.

Those who are now due their second COVID-19 booster vaccine can:

This second booster will give you the best protection from serious illness caused by COVID-19.

The HSE encourages everyone in these two groups who have already had their first booster to get their second booster when they become eligible. This second booster will give you the best protection from serious illness caused by COVID-19.

A large number of GPs and pharmacies are now participating in the second COVID-19 booster programme.

Interval between first and second booster

If you are 65 or over or 12 years and older with a weak immune system, you should get your second booster at least 4 months (at least 120 days) after your first booster. You can check the date of your last booster on your digital COVID-19 certificate.

If you have had COVID-19 in the last 4 months

You should get your second booster dose at least 4 months after your positive test result or when your symptoms started

Going to the vaccination centre

Please bring a photo ID with you. Examples of ID include passport, driver’s licence, Garda age card, student/school ID etc. but if your ID does not include your date of birth, please bring proof of your date of birth (e.g. your birth cert).

What vaccine will I get?

If you are 30 years or older you will be offered a single booster dose of the Moderna COVID 19 vaccine at the HSE vaccination centres, GPs and Pharmacies. If you are 29 years or younger we will offer you a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine. These are mRNA vaccines. NIAC has recommended people are given an mRNA vaccine for this second booster dose, and it is safe to receive if you previously had a different vaccine.

If you have not had your first booster yet

Everyone aged 12 and over can still get their first booster, and are invited to come forward and book an appointment at a HSE vaccination centre. You can find more information here.

Video explaining second booster

You can watch this video with Dr Eimear Hayes, Senior Medical Officer from the HSE National Immunisation Office. In the video Dr Hayes answers questions about the second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 12 and older who have a weak immune system and those aged 65 and older, and explains their recommended COVID-19 vaccination course. Information about the recommended vaccine schedule for COVID-19 is available from the National Immunisation Office Website.

Stay safe

COVID-19 is still with us. These are important things that we can all keep doing to help reduce infection:

  • isolate if you are symptomatic (even if you are fully vaccinated and boosted) or if you are diagnosed with COVID-19
  • complete your primary and booster programme of vaccination
  • continue to manage risk for yourself and others who are more vulnerable. You can do this by wearing masks, physical distancing and avoiding crowds as well as maintaining basic hand and respiratory hygiene

Treatment for people at the highest risk from COVID-19

New medicines are available to treat people with COVID-19 (coronavirus) who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill.

You can find more information about treatments and higher risk groups here.

COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 yearsIf your child is aged 5 to 11 you can book their COVID-19 vaccine appointment online at a time and date that suits you. The vaccine will help to protect them and the rest of the family too. The World Health Organization has advised that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for children of this age. Visit hse.ie for information or to book an appointment.

COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

You can find the latest information on vaccines administered here.

COVID-19 Testing 

Full details of how to get tested are available here.

COVID-19 information in other languages

Visit hse.ie/translations for a range of COVID-19 vaccine information videos and resources that have been produced in other languages, including information on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy.

Information videos on COVID-19 vaccination for parents of children aged 5-11 are available here.

Animated videos for children about COVID-19 vaccination 

Animated videos for children are now available in English, Irish, Irish Sign Language and 11 other languages. The videos are intended as resources for parents, guardians or care workers to use to talk about the child’s COVID-19 vaccine and the process of being vaccinated with them.

The videos are also available in Arabic, Czech, Dari, French, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Urdu, and Yoruba and you can see all of the videos here.