Covid-19 Booster /Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

COVID-19 Pfizer Boosters are currently being administered in the Francis Street pharmacy to the following groups as per the HSE policy.   

• Healthcare workers of any age
• People aged 16 years or older
• Those living in a nursing home or a long-term healthcare facility
  

We will let you know if there are changes to this policy.   

We are arranging appointments as we receive confirmation of stock so if you cannot get an appointment at the time, try again in a day or two.

How long should I wait before getting a booster?

For Astra Zeneca, Pfizer or Moderna you need to wait at least 3 months after your second vaccine dose before you can get a booster.

For the single-dose Janssen vaccine, you need to wait at least 3 months before you can get a booster.

If you had COVID-19 since you were vaccinated, you should get your booster dose at least 3 months after your positive test result.

If you have any queries prior to your vaccination, email us at francisstreet@eirpharm.com

COVID-19 HEALTH SCREEN:

Please complete it in advance.   Do not attend your appointment if

• you have any current symptoms of Covid 19 or
• have been told you are a close contact of someone with Covid 19 or
• have been told you should isolate or
• have recently returned from foreign travel

WHEN YOU SHOULD NOT GET A COVID VACCINE:

• Following an anaphylactic reaction to a first dose of a Covid Vaccine
• If you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in the vaccine as listed further below
• If you have had mastocytosis, myocarditis, pericarditis,
• If you have a bleeding disorder or are on anticoagulation therapy you may need to go to a specialist centre to receive the vaccine. 
• If you are awaiting a Covid PCR Test Appointment or Results

APPOINTMENT TIMES:

• You should allow at least 30 minutes in total for your vaccination appointment. After getting the vaccine, you will be under observation for 15 minutes.
• Please be on time but do not arrive to the pharmacy more than 5 minutes before your appointment
• You will be sent a reminder prior to your appointment
• If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment please use the link we send to you or email us on francisstreet@eirpharm.com
• Adults should arrive for their vaccination unaccompanied where possible

ON THE DAY:

• Please where a loose fitting top so that your upper arm is easily accessible
• Bring your phone, photo ID and a face covering
• Please bring proof of your date of last vaccination (Digital certificate or vaccination card).  
• If you have not already supplied your PPS number, mobile number etc we will ask you to complete these on a form when you come. This is to log all of this information to the PharmaVax System where we record your vaccine

VACCINE INFORMATION LEAFLETS:

Please read the relevant information about your assigned vaccine prior to your appointment. Leaflets will also be available at the pharmacy when you arrive for your vaccination. 

PfizerBioNTech Vaccine leaflet

VACCINE EXCIPIENT LIST for PfizerBioNTech Vaccine:.

polyethylene glycol/macrogol (PEG) is  part of ALC-0159, ALC-0315

• (4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (ALC-0315)
• 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide (ALC-0159)
• 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC)
• Cholesterol 
• Potassium chloride 
• Potassium dihydrogen phosphate 
• Sodium chloride 
• Disodium phosphate dihydrate 
• Sucrose 
• Water for injections 
• Sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) 
• Hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment)

FURTHER INFORMATION:

For more up-to-date Covid related information please follow the links below or contact the HSE on 1850 24 1850.

Health Products Regulatory Authority

HSE Immunisation website

Information about the booster dose for health professionals

Information about the booster dose for patients

What is seasonal influenza (flu)?

Influenza (flu) is a very infectious illness caused by the flu virus. The virus infects the airways and the lungs. Flu circulates in the community during the flu season. The flu season usually starts at the beginning of October and lasts until the end of April.

Can flu cause serious illness?

Yes, the flu can cause serious illness and life-threatening complications including pneumonia, bronchitis and, on rare occasions, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). Flu also can make chronic health problems worse.

Some people are more at risk of these serious complications including people aged 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with an underlying health condition such as diabetes and chronic lung disease.

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

A cold usually comes on gradually with a sore throat and a blocked or runny nose and its symptoms are usually mild. Flu symptoms start suddenly with fever, muscle aches, headaches and extreme tiredness (fatigue). It may be difficult to tell the symptoms of flu apart from symptoms of COVID-19.

What is the flu vaccine?

A vaccine is a product that helps the body’s immune system (defence system) to fight against infections. Each year the flu viruses change, so each year the flu vaccine changes to provide protection from the new strains of flu virus expected.

How does the flu vaccine work?

The flu vaccine helps your immune system to produce antibodies (proteins that fight infection). If you have had the flu vaccine and you come into contact with the flu virus, the vaccine can stop you from getting sick.

Who should get the flu vaccine?

We recommend the flu vaccine for:

• People aged 50 years and over
• Children aged 2-17 years
• Pregnant women-
• People (adults and children) with long-term medical conditions such as diabetes, chronic heart conditions, liver conditions, kidney conditions and chronic lung disease including COPD, or neurological diseases
• People with cancer
• People whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment
• People who are obese who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 40
• People with Down syndrome
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-stay institutions
• Healthcare workers
• Carers
• People who live in the same house as someone who is at risk of flu because of a medical condition
• People with regular close contact with poultry, water fowl or pigs.

The Flu Vaccine is FREE to everyone in these risk groups.

What flu vaccines are available this flu season?

The 2021/2022 HSE seasonal flu vaccination programme will offer 3 vaccines:

• the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) - for people with long term conditions
• the Fluenz Tetra nasal spray suspension Influenza vaccine (live attenuated, nasal) for children aged 2 to 17 years
• the Fluad Tetra for people aged 65 years and over

Why do people aged 65 years and over need the flu vaccine?

People aged 65 years and over are more at risk of severe illness, hospitalisation or death from flu. The flu vaccine is the best protection against flu. This flu season, the Fluad Tetra flu vaccine will be offered to those aged 65 years and over as this is a more effective flu vaccine for this age group.

Why should children aged 2-17 years get the flu vaccine?

Children, especially younger children, are at risk from complications of flu.  Children carry the flu virus in their system for longer than adults do, so they can spread it easily to vulnerable people around them.

The flu vaccine protects children from flu and also protects vulnerable people around them, for example their grandparents.

Why do pregnant women need the flu vaccine?

If you are pregnant, you are at higher risk of complications from flu. The flu can also affect your baby, for example, flu can cause miscarriage, premature birth and even stillbirth. The flu vaccine protects pregnant women during pregnancy and also protects their newborn baby during their first few months of life.

How safe is the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is very safe. Flu vaccines have been given for more than 60 years to millions of people worldwide.

What are the side effects of the vaccine?

Common side effects are mild. After the flu vaccine you may get side effects including soreness, redness and swelling where the injection was given. Headaches, muscle pains and tiredness can also develop. These side effects may last for a few days. Serious reactions are very rare; a severe allergic reaction occurs in one in a million people.

Who should not get the flu vaccine?

You should not get the flu vaccine if

• you have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of flu vaccine or any part of the vaccine.
• you are taking two medicines called combination checkpoint inhibitors (for example, ipilimumab plus nivolumab) which are used to treat cancer.
• You have severe neutropenia (low levels of a type of white blood cell)

What about people with egg allergy?

If you have egg allergy, talk to your GP before you get this vaccine.

When should you delay getting the flu vaccine?

You may have to delay getting the flu vaccine if you are unwell – with a high temperature of more than 38°C – until you are better.

Where do I get the flu vaccine if I am in one of the groups for whom the vaccine is recommended?

You can get the flu vaccine from University Pharmacy. Click on the link below and follow the simply step by step instructions.

What does the flu vaccine cost?

If the flu vaccine is recommended for you, then the vaccine and the consultation with  pharmacist is free. For all others the cost is €30.  For many, their companies have arrangements to cover the cost and we can invoice your company directly.  Please contact us in advance on francisstreet@eirpharm.com with any query or to facilitate any specific requests you may have.  

For more information visit: HSE Website