The next phase of the healthcare worker vaccination programme, which focuses on those not in direct patient contact gets underway later today (26th March), when the HSE’s registration portal for ‘frontline’ staff will close, and preparations of the system for the next round begin.

Some 204,000 frontline healthcare workers have now received their first dose vaccination, which exceeds the HSE’s original estimates by more than 50,000. This means the HSE is now in a position to begin to ‘close out’ first dose vaccinations for this group.

Fórsa official Chris Cully said anyone registered on the healthcare worker portal prior to the closure today will be offered a vaccine as part of this group.

“The HSE has advised that specific arrangements will be required for new employees and staff returning from sick leave who have not been vaccinated, but who meet the criteria for frontline healthcare workers,” she said.

Chris, who attends the weekly vaccination briefings on behalf of Fórsa, said the HSE confirmed this week that the weekly supply of 40,000 Pfizer vaccines remains steady, with 25,000 units of the AstraZeneca vaccine on hand, and an additional 110K due for delivery by the middle of next week. Some additional training for the AstraZeneca vaccine has also been provided to vaccinators following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).

“Recruitment of vaccinators is continuing. Around 4,000 people have applied to be vaccinators, and 2,000 of these are at an advanced stage in the recruitment process. Some 400 have now completed the process and are commencing work,” she said.

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