Rollout of COVID-19 vaccines - Rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in Ireland

The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is underway. Vaccines are being given as soon as possible after they arrive in Ireland.

Our priorities are safety and working to protect people as quickly as we can. The rollout of vaccines will only be limited by supply.

People who are most at risk from COVID-19 are being vaccinated first.

Important

We will let you know when you can register for your vaccine through your healthcare team, news or public advertising.

Groups currently being vaccinated

The groups currently being vaccinated against COVID-19 are:

  • people aged 65 years and older who live in long-term care facilities (group 1)
  • frontline healthcare workers (group 2)
  • people aged 70 and older (group 3)
  • people aged 16 to 69 who are at very high risk (group 4)
  • people aged 65 to 69, including those at high risk (group 5 and 6)
  • people aged 16 to 64 who are at high risk (group 7)

You can read more about these groups in the "Vaccination progress updates" section on this page.

Registration for people aged 50 to 69

We’re asking people to register on specific days to help us manage the demand. This will make it easier for everyone to register.

Register online

Find out when you can register online to get a COVID-19 vaccine

Next groups to be vaccinated

Because supplies of vaccines are limited at the moment, it is not possible to give an exact time for everyone. We understand that people are looking forward to getting their vaccine and will keep this information updated.

See the full list of provisional vaccine groups on gov.ie

The provisional list of groups for vaccination may be changed by the Government based on new information or changes in vaccine supply.

Read more about getting your COVID-19 vaccine

Vaccination progress updates

See the latest updates on the numbers of vaccines given to date. This includes details on which group people are in and which vaccines are being used.

See the latest figures on the vaccination programme GeoHive dashboard

Group 1

People aged 65 and older who live in long-term care facilities

People over 65 who live in long-term care facilities were the first group to be offered a COVID-19 vaccine. This is because they have a greater risk of serious illness if they get COVID-19.

The schedule for long-term care facilities will change from week to week. Vaccination may be delayed if there is a COVID-19 outbreak in a facility.

How you will get your vaccine

Residents will get their vaccine through their home.

Group 2

Frontline healthcare workers

We are continuing to vaccinate frontline healthcare workers. This is happening at hospital and community services sites around the country, and at special clinics for GPs and their practice staff.

How you will get your vaccine

Frontline healthcare workers will get their vaccine through their workplace.

Read more about healthcare workers COVID-19 vaccine registration

Group 3

People aged 70 and older

Vaccination of people aged 70 and older is happening now.

Order of vaccinations for people over 70

Vaccinations are being offered in the following order to people aged:

  1. 85 and older.
  2. 80 to 84.
  3. 75 to 79.
  4. 70 to 74.

We expect to have everyone in this group vaccinated, with both doses, by the end of May.

How you will get your vaccine

Your GP will contact you when your vaccine is available. You do not need to register for your vaccine.

Most people in this group will be vaccinated at their own GP surgery. Some GPs who work in smaller practices will join together. Some people will be invited to attend a vaccination centre.

If your GP is not vaccinating, call other local GPs to see if they can help.

If they cannot help or if you do not have a GP, call the COVID-19 helpline for advice.

LoCall: 1850 24 1850

If you cannot leave your home

A home vaccination can be arranged for people over 70 who cannot leave home for medical reasons.

Your GP can refer you to the National Ambulance Service (NAS) for home vaccination. A NAS team member will contact you to schedule your appointment.

They will also update your GP and let them know if you had any side effects or concerns.

Group 4

People aged 16 to 69 who are at very high risk

List of conditions

Cancer

All cancer patients actively receiving (and/or within 6 weeks of receiving) systemic therapy with cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, monoclonal antibodies or immunotherapies and radical surgery or radiotherapy for lung or head and neck cancer.

All patients with advanced/metastatic cancers.

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease, on dialysis, or eGFR <15 ml/min.

Chronic neurological disease or condition

Chronic neurological disease or condition with evolving ventilatory failure (requiring non-invasive ventilation), for example: motor neurone disease, spinal muscular atrophy.

Chronic respiratory disease

Chronic severe respiratory disease, for example: severe cystic fibrosis, severe COPD, severe pulmonary fibrosis.

Diabetes

Diabetes and HbA1C ≥58mmol/mol

Immunocompromised

Severe immunocompromise due to disease or treatment, for example:

  • transplantation: - Listed for solid organ or haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) - Post solid organ transplant at any time - Post HSCT within 12 months
  • genetic diseases: - APECED** - Inborn errors in the interferon pathway
  • treatment: - included but not limited to Cyclophosphamide, Rituximab, Alemtuzumab, Cladribine or Ocrelizumab in the last 6 months

Inherited metabolic diseases*

Disorders of intermediary metabolism/at risk of acute decompensation, for example: Maple Syrup Urine Disease.

Intellectual disability*

Down Syndrome.

Obesity

BMI >40 Kg/m2.

Sickle cell disease*

Source gov.ie

People aged 60 to 69 at very high risk

If you are aged 60 to 69, at very high risk, and have not gotten your vaccination appointment yet, you should:

How you will get your vaccine

You will get your vaccine at a vaccination centre.

People at very high risk attending hospital or disability services

We have started to vaccinate people at very high risk who are attending hospital or disability services.

How you will get your vaccine

Hospital or disability services will contact you when it’s your turn to be vaccinated.

People at very high risk not attending regular hospital services

Some people in group 4 are not in regular contact with a hospital or disability service. GPs will vaccinate people in this group. It will take some time for GPs to identify and invite everyone.

How you will get your vaccine

GPs will contact their patients when it’s their turn to be vaccinated.

Group 5 and 6

People aged 65 to 69, including those at high risk

List of conditions

Cancer

Haematological - within 1 year.

Haematological - within 1 - 5 years.

Non-haematological - within 1 year.

All other cancers on non-hormonal treatment.

Chronic heart (and vascular) disease

Chronic heart disease, for example: heart failure, hypertensive cardiac disease.

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease with eGFR <30ml/min.

Chronic liver disease

Chronic liver disease, for example: cirrhosis or fibrosis.

Chronic neurological disease or condition

Chronic neurological disease or condition significantly compromising respiratory function and/or the ability to clear secretions, for example: Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy.

Chronic respiratory disease

Other chronic respiratory disease, for example: stable cystic fibrosis, severe asthma (continuous or repeated use of systemic corticosteroids), moderate COPD.

Diabetes

All other diabetes (Type 1 and 2).

Immunocompromised

Immunocompromise due to disease or treatment, for example: high dose systemic steroids (as defined in Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland Chapter 3), persons living with HIV.

Inherited metabolic diseases*

Disorders of intermediary metabolism not fulfilling criteria for very high risk.

Intellectual disability*

Intellectual disability*** excluding Down Syndrome.

Obesity

BMI >35 Kg/m2.

Severe mental illness*

Severe mental illness, for example: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression.

*additional or updated medical conditions

** APECED - autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ecto- dermal dystrophy

*** WHO definition of intellectual disability as “impairments in adaptive, social, and intellectual functioning (IQ<70), requiring daily support, with onset in the developmental phase (<18 years)”

Source: gov.ie

Register online

Registration is currently open for people in groups 5 and 6.

Register online to get a COVID-19 vaccine

Read the user guide for help with registering online

If you cannot register online

If you cannot register online, you can call the COVID-19 helpline to register by phone.

How you will get your vaccine

You will get your vaccine at a vaccination centre.

Group 7

People aged 16 to 64 at high risk

List of conditions

Cancer

Haematological - within 1 year.

Haematological - within 1 - 5 years.

Non-haematological - within 1 year.

All other cancers on non-hormonal treatment.

Chronic heart (and vascular) disease

Chronic heart disease, for example: heart failure, hypertensive cardiac disease.

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease with eGFR <30ml/min.

Chronic liver disease

Chronic liver disease, for example: cirrhosis or fibrosis.

Chronic neurological disease or condition

Chronic neurological disease or condition significantly compromising respiratory function and/or the ability to clear secretions, for example: Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy.

Chronic respiratory disease

Other chronic respiratory disease, for example: stable cystic fibrosis, severe asthma (continuous or repeated use of systemic corticosteroids), moderate COPD.

Diabetes

All other diabetes (Type 1 and 2).

Immunocompromised

Immunocompromise due to disease or treatment, for example: high dose systemic steroids (as defined in Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland Chapter 3), persons living with HIV.

Inherited metabolic diseases*

Disorders of intermediary metabolism not fulfilling criteria for very high risk.

Intellectual disability*

Intellectual disability*** excluding Down Syndrome.

Obesity

BMI >35 Kg/m2.

Severe mental illness*

Severe mental illness, for example: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression.

*additional or updated medical conditions

** APECED - autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ecto- dermal dystrophy

*** WHO definition of intellectual disability as “impairments in adaptive, social, and intellectual functioning (IQ<70), requiring daily support, with onset in the developmental phase (<18 years)”

Source: gov.ie

People aged 60 to 64 at high risk

If you are aged 60 to 64, are at high risk, and have not gotten your vaccination appointment yet, you should:

How you will get your vaccine

You will get your vaccine at a vaccination centre.

People aged 16 to 59 at high risk

GPs will vaccinate people aged 59 and under in this group. It will take some time for GPs to identify and invite everyone.

How you will get your vaccine

GPs will contact many of their patients when it’s their turn to be vaccinated.

You can also register online for your vaccine when your age group is being called for vaccination.

COVID-19 vaccines being offered

The COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use in Ireland are the:

A number of other vaccines are in the final stages of licensing and approval.

Read about how COVID-19 vaccines are licensed and approved in Ireland

Related topic

COVID-19 vaccines' patient information leaflets

Other websites

Treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 – European Medicines Agency

COVID-19 public health updates – gov.ie

Last updated: 7 May 2021 at 2.25pm