Covid-19 and Covid-19 Vaccinations

Do We Have Vaccines Available?

The vaccine we have been provided with for the 2026 Winter vaccination  campaign is the Pfizer (Comirnaty) XFG 30mcg Covid-19 vaccine.  This new version of the Covid-19 vaccine has been designed to provide stronger protection against the most prevalent COVID-19 strains in circulation at present. 

Who is eligible to receive a Covid-19 booster Vaccine at Morgan’s Medical Hall?

At present the HSE are recommending Twice-yearly boosters for the following groups:

  • those aged 80 years or older.

  • those living in long term care facilities for older adults.

  • those aged 6 months or older who have weak immune system which could be associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination.

The following groups are recommended to recieve Once-Yearly boosters:

  • those aged 60 to 79 years.

  • those aged 6 months to 59 years who have a medical condition that is associated with a higher risk of Covid-19 hospitalisation, severe disease or death.

  • Pregnant Women who are immunocompromised or who have a medical condition that is associated with a higher risk of Covid-19 hospitalisation, severe disease or death.

  • Healthcare workers who chose to do so may also avail of a once-yearly vaccine.

Please see the table below from NIAC (National Immunisation Advisory Commitee) which summarizes all the above recommendations:

 

Please note that in all cases, to receive a booster at Morgan’s Medical Hall you must be 16 years or older.

How Do I Book?

Please use our online booking system (in the services section of this website) to register for the vaccine. The dates and times available for upcoming vaccine clinics will be listed on the booking page.

The vials we use each contain a certain number of doses of Covid-19 vaccination and, once the vial seal is broken, we have only a certain time limit to use all the doses. Any unused doses at that point will then need to be discarded. For this reason we organise specific blocks of “vaccine clinics” and it would not be practical for us to provide a walk-in service.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an illness that can affect your lungs and airways, and sometimes other parts of your body. It’s caused by a virus called a coronavirus.

COVID-19 is highly infectious. It spreads through the air through droplets produced when people cough or sneeze, or when they touch surfaces where the droplets have landed and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.

Although most people recover fully from COVID-19 infections, it can cause serious illness, hospitalisation and even death.

Older people and people with certain health conditions have a higher risk of getting seriously ill if they get COVID-19.

What is the COVID-19 vaccine?

A vaccine is a substance that should improve immunity (protection) to a particular disease. The COVID-19 vaccine will offer you protection from COVID-19. If people are vaccinated, it should also reduce the numbers who become seriously ill or even die from COVID-19 in our community.

Vaccines teach your immune system how to protect you from diseases. It is much safer for your immune system to learn how to protect you through vaccination than by getting COVID-19.

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?

Covid-19 vaccines used in Ireland are safe. All vaccines used in the Republic of Ireland must be approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The EMA only approves vaccines once they are satisfied that they are safe and effective. Because COVID-19 has caused a crisis all around the world, lots of work is being done by experts in many countries. These experts have worked together to develop safe vaccines as quickly as possible. But COVID-19 vaccines that are used in Ireland and approved by the EMA must still go through the same safety and effectiveness assessments that all other vaccines and medicines go through before they are approved. In Ireland, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) works to make sure that side effects that people get are reported and followed up.

Are there side effects from COVID-19 vaccines?

Like all medicines, vaccines can have side effects. The side effects are mostly mild or moderate and include things like having a sore arm or itching in the part where the injection was given, feeling tired, feeling sick, swollen lymph glands in the arm where the vaccine was given, body chills or feeling like you have a fever. Some people don’t get any side effects at all. More rarely, people experience sleeplessness, or temporary weakness in their face muscles. The side effects from a COVID-19 vaccine are similar to the side effects that you can get from other vaccines. We know this from looking at the results of clinical trials, and from the reports from the millions of people around the world who have already been vaccinated. We know that serious side effects to vaccines, like an allergic reaction, are extremely rare. As more people in Ireland and around the world get this vaccine, the HSE will update their website with any new information. Click here for more detailed information on vaccine side effects. You can report any side effects you experience to the HPRA. The link is below.

Click here to report Vaccine side-effects to the HPRA.

GETTING THE VACCINE AND YOUR APPOINTMENT

COVID-19 HEALTH SCREEN:

Do not attend your appointment if:
• you have any current symptoms of Covid 19, or
• have been diagnosed with Covid 19 within the last 3 months, or

• have been told you should isolate.

WHEN YOU SHOULD NOT GET A COVID VACCINE:

• Following an anaphylactic reaction to a first dose of a Covid Vaccine
• If you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in the vaccine.

APPOINTMENT TIMES:

• Please be on time but do not arrive at the pharmacy more than 5 minutes before your appointment
• You will be sent email reminders prior to your appointment
• If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment please contact the pharmacy as soon as you can
• Adults should arrive for their vaccination unaccompanied where possible.

ON THE DAY:

• Please wear a loose-fitting top so that your upper arm is easily accessible
• Bring your phone and a photo ID

VACCINE INFORMATION LEAFLETS:

Please read the relevant information about your assigned vaccine prior to your appointment. Leaflets will also be available at the pharmacy when you arrive for your vaccination.

• Covid-19  Vaccines information

FURTHER INFORMATION:
For more up-to-date Covid related information please follow the links above or contact the HSE on 1850 24 1850.

Copyright Morgans Medical Hall 2014