You should get a free COVID-19 vaccine this autumn or winter if you:
- are age 60 years and older
- live in a long-term care facility and are age 18 or older
- have a weak immune system
- have a health condition that puts you at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19
Do this even if you got a COVID-19 vaccine earlier this year. This is so you have the best protection against COVID-19.
There is separate advice if you:
COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against serious COVID-19 illness.
You can get a COVID-19 vaccine if you are over 18 and want one. You do not have to be in the groups a vaccine is recommended for. Talk to your GP.
If you've never had the COVID-19 vaccine
You can get a COVID-19 vaccine anytime if you've never had one.
You should get one if you're in a group the vaccine is recommended for.
Where to get your vaccine
People age 12 and older can go to a:
- GP who is offering COVID-19 vaccination
- participating pharmacy
You can also call HSELive to find out where vaccines are being offered near you. Freephone: 1800 700 700
People under 16 must attend their vaccination with a parent or legal guardian.
If your child is under 12
Children under 12 must have an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Call HSELive on freephone 1800 700 700 to make an appointment for your child.
Children under age 12 cannot get the vaccine at a pharmacy or GP surgery. The vaccine doses offered are different for young children.
Residential care or home vaccination
HSE vaccination teams will give the vaccine in residential care facilities including nursing homes, and to people who are unable to leave their home.
Call HSELive on freephone 1800 700 700 to organise a home vaccination.
Recommended vaccines
The Comirnaty vaccine (manufactured by Pfizer) is an mRNA vaccine. This is the COVID-19 vaccine recommended for most people.
Some people may not be able to get an mRNA vaccine or choose not to get one. In this case, the Nuvaxovid (Novavax) vaccine is usually recommended.
However, the Nuvaxovid (Novavax) vaccine is currently not available in Ireland.
We are trying to get supplies of the vaccine but we do not know if or when it will become available.
You can phone HSELive at Freephone 1800 700 700 and ask to be contacted when Nuvaxovid (Novavax) becomes available.
COVID-19 vaccine side effects and safety
How long the COVID-19 vaccine takes to work
It can take up to 14 days for your immune system to respond to the vaccine and give you protection from the serious complications of COVID-19.
There’s strong, reliable evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19.