David McArdle, Olena Ilina, proprietor Conor McCrystal, Store Manager Frances Galligan, and Sharon Rutter.

Covid booster available at McCrystal’s

The newly adapted bivalent Covid booster is available from McCrystal’s Pharmacy in Cootehill.

These new vaccines offer increased protection against COVID-19 and also the Omicron variant, explains director at McCrystal's Pharmacy, and Pharmacist, Conor McCrystal.

The booster jab is available from McCrystal’s Pharmacy, located on the corner of Bridge Street and Market Street in Cootehill town centre.

He says a lot of people are currently receiving communication from the HSE informing them that their booster is due.

“You’re entitled a booster four months after vaccination, or depending on what cohort you fall into.”

Currently, the booster roll-out programme is focusing on those 65 years and older; aged 50 to 64 years; 12 to 49 years, (with certain long-term medical conditions); residents of long-term care facilities; healthcare workers; 12 years and older (with a weak immune system); pregnant women; and children 5 -11 years (with a weak immune system).

“Obviously the vaccination centre at the Kilmore is no longer open, so people can now get it in their local pharmacy.”

Ireland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme has one of the highest levels of uptake in Europe, with almost 97% of adults receiving a primary vaccination (or over 84% of the eligible population over five years) and almost 80% of adults administered a booster vaccine.

Mr McCrystal says people interested in receiving a booster can contact any member of the McCrystal Pharmacy team and schedule an appointment.

Uptake, to date, has been “solid” he says.

“I think as we get into the winter people are starting to realise that Covid hasn’t gone away, and while hospital numbers are not being widely reported in the media at the moment, it is an issue and numbers are rising. People over 65 or with an underlying health condition, or living with vulnerable adults in their house, should be getting the booster. The booster out now is new improved. Its the new improved Pfizer vaccine, which protects against Omicron.”

The flu jab is also being offered, and again Mr McCrystal says there has been a “strong uptake again this year.”