The HSE has confirmed it is to start vaccinating people next week that are aged between 16-69 and have underlying illnesses and are at high risk of getting Covid-19.
The plan is to vaccinate the first 10,000 in cohort four while there are around 160,000 patients in this group.
The HSE wrote to hospitals on Wednesday to ask them to quickly identify patients who are at high risk of Covid-19.
They will receive the AstraZeneca jab.
According to the government’s updated vaccination plan, this group which falls into category four includes:
- Chronic severe respiratory disease
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- All cancer patients actively receiving treatment and all patients with advanced cancers
- Chronic kidney disease, on dialysis
- Chronic neurological disease for example motor neurone disease
- Severe immunocompromise due to disease or treatment
- An intellectual disability such as Down Syndrome
Dr Colm Henry, the HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer said these vaccinations will mostly be carried out in acute hospital settings but others may go to a GP practice.
He said GPs and advocacy groups will also help to identify patients.
Dr Henry said: “It is tricky, because there are so many patient groups and we don’t have a national disease register where we can push a button that gives us the name of everybody who has a particular disease in Ireland.”
