Over 33,000 vaccines administered from Cavan centre

News update

The HSE is highlighting the importance of receiving your second COVID-19 vaccination at the Cavan Covid Vaccination Centre (CVC), which has processed over 33,000 vaccines to date.

The executive advises that the second vaccine gives the best protection against COVID-19 variants including the new Delta variant, which is highly transmissible and accounts for a recent surge in cases.

You are not considered fully vaccinated without your second dose. You are considered fully vaccinated in the below timeframe:

· Seven days after your second Pfizer-BioNTech dose

· 14 days after your second Moderna dose

· 14 days after the Janssen vaccine - this is a single dose vaccine

· 28 days after your first AstraZeneca dose - you still need to get your second dose to make sure your vaccine protection lasts.

People displaying symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to reschedule their vaccination appointments to protect vaccination centre staff as well as the general public. You will still receive your second vaccine as your appointment will only be deferred and not cancelled. Symptoms include a high fever of 38 degrees Celsius or above, a new cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties, loss or change to your sense of taste or smell. Symptoms of the new Delta variant also include a sore throat and a runny nose.

Operational site manager at Cavan CVC Aisling Duffy said: "There has been a great attendance at the Cavan CVC, with approximately 33,000 vaccines administered to date.

"The Delta variant is gaining traction all over the county. The last number of days has seen a surge of over 1,000 cases each day. The best means of protecting you, those around you and those you love is to get your vaccine. We want to encourage everybody to attend for their second vaccine."

If you are unable to attend and would like a new appointment, please reply NEW to the text message you receive. If you have already received your vaccine from your GP or local pharmacy, please contact 1800700700 to request your records are updated and you will no longer be scheduled an appointment.

As per the most up-to-date HSE guidance, people will now be offered their second Pfizer vaccine from 21 days after their first dose. We would encourage all people offered an appointment to attend.

On receipt of their vaccine, people will receive their digital certificate via email. If you have any queries regarding your digital certificate, you should contact 1800807008.

Portal open for over 18s

Registration is now open to those aged 18-24 years of age.

Everyone who registers online will be offered the Moderna or Pfizer/Biotech vaccine.

To register online at www.hse.ie you will need:

· A mobile phone number

· An email address

· Your PPS number

· Your Eircode

If you need assistance call the COVID-19 Helpline on 1800 700 700 or 01 240 8787, which is open Monday to Sunday 8am to 8pm. The best time to call is between 1pm and 6pm as you will get through to an operator quicker.

Please continue to adhere to Covid guidelines re:

- Maintaining social distancing

- Wearing face masks

- Practising good hand hygiene

You should self-isolate if you:

• have symptoms of COVID-19

• are waiting for a COVID-19 test appointment or test results

• test positive for COVID-19