More than 220,000 people aged 60 to 69 have not registered for the Covid-19 vaccine, prompting concerns about vaccine hesitancy.
The online registration process for those aged 60 to 64 opened in the last week, and those aged 65 to 69 started to receive their first dose of vaccine in recent weeks. The HSE was this week redrawing the vaccine rollout plan following changes in advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Council. The Government signed off on a recommendation that the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine be given to over-50s only.
“huge number” of people have not booked an appointment
Despite the registration process opening for the 60 to 69 age cohort, a “huge number” of people have not booked an appointment, according to Labour leader Alan Kelly. “I am concerned that 220,000 people in the 60 to 69 group haven’t registered,” Mr. Kelly told the Dáil. Mr. Kelly also said the revamped vaccine programme will see over 70s and over 50s vaccinated before those aged 60 to 69. Currently, people in the 60 to 69 age cohort are being offered the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has a 12-week interval between the first and second dose.
Those aged over 70 will receive their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine in the coming weeks. People in this cohort 60 to 69 can register by visiting website hse.ie or by telephoning 1850 24 1850.
For updated and factual Public Health information and advice on COVID-19 Coronavirus, please visit hse.ie/coronavirus or call 1800 700 700
For the latest information on the Covid-19 Vaccine Programme, please visit hse.ie/covid-19-vaccine
