# Vaccination
This year
2023
# Measles
Ireland has one of the lowest rates of measles immunisation in Europe
Measles rates in Europe went down during the pandemic, but it is possible that cases were underreported during that time.
# HIQA
Chickenpox vaccine could be added to childhood immunisation schedule following consultation
It is estimated that there are currently over 55,000 cases of chickenpox every year in Ireland.
# Health
Confidence in childhood vaccination fell in Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic
A new UNICEF report found that the public perception of the importance of vaccines for children declined in 52 out of 55 countries studied.
# MMR
Parents urged to check children are vaccinated against measles before travelling during Easter
The HSE is advising parents to make sure children are up to date with their MMR vaccines if they are travelling abroad.
# Coronavirus
Covid-19 testing centres to close nationally, as testing no longer needed for 'vast majority'
Both PCR and antigen testing will continue to be used by doctors in hospitals and general practices
# Vaccination
HSE urges public to get second booster shot as vaccine uptake lags
The renewed appeal comes amid concern over the Kraken variant.
Last year
2022
# Vaccination
Online registration portal opens for HPV vaccine catch-up programme named after Laura Brennan
Laura Brennan campaigned higher uptake of the HPV vaccine before her death in 2019.
# New Zealand
NZ court takes custody of ill baby whose parents refused potential vaccinated blood transfusion
The child is now under the medical “guardianship of the Court” until “completion of his surgery” and recovery.
# two in one
Pfizer-BioNTech to test combined Covid and flu vaccine
Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech developed one of the most widely used vaccines to combat Covid-19.
# monkeypox
All available appointment for monkeypox vaccine booked, hours after online registration opens
The HSE said it will be making further appointments available at the start of next month.
# monkeypox
EU approves smallpox vaccine for use against monkeypox
Imvanex has been approved in the EU since 2013 for the prevention of smallpox.
# HIQA
Vaccination had 'significant impact' at decreasing Covid-19 cases in nursing homes
Vaccination was a major factor determining outbreaks, as well as whether a home had suffered an outbreak in the past.
Austria suspends law making Covid vaccines mandatory for all adults
The law took effect in February and called for fines up to €3,600 from mid-March for those who do not comply.
# covid19
Online booking opens for 5-11 year olds as just over one fifth have received Covid vaccine
The HSE said a number of children in this age group had Covid over the Christmas period, but they are now eligible for their jab.
# convoy protests
Canadian anti-vaccine truckers inspire copycat protests in several countries
Canadian flags are being flown during demonstrations against Covid vaccines in cities around the world.
# Vaccines
Austrian president signs law making Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for all adults
Those holding out can face fines of up to €3,600 after mid-March.
# Vaccines
Sweden opts against recommending Covid vaccines for children aged five to 11
The decision could be reassessed if the health situation changes, the authorities said.
# Coronavirus
Hundreds of hospital staff, including healthcare workers, not vaccinated against Covid-19
Those unvaccinated include nurses, healthcare assistants and doctors.
Almost 300 staff were considered 'at risk' to patients because of their vaccine status last November, Stephen McDermott writes.
Nurses, healthcare assistants, therapists and a non-consultant hospital doctor among those unvaccinated.
Mandatory vaccination is not currently Government policy and the HSE redeploys staff it deems to be at risk to patients.
# Vaccines
Italy to introduce mandatory Covid vaccination for over 50s
Out of Italy’s 59 million people, 28 million are over the age of 50.
All time
# vaccine programme
First vaccination clinics for vulnerable children held as hospitals face pressure due to Covid
The number of people in hospital with Covid jumped by 75 overnight.
The number of people in hospital with Covid jumped by 75 overnight.
There were 16,959 positive swabs reported today by the Department of Health
The booster programme hit the milestone of 2,000,000 doses administered.
# Vaccines
Booster interval for people who have had Covid to be cut from six months to three months
The Covid-19 booster vaccine rollout is being accelerated due to the Omicron variant.
# Questions answered
Q&A: Who is eligible for a Covid-19 booster and when will I get mine?
Here’s what you need to know about the Covid-19 booster rollout programme.
# Plan B
Fans in England must show Covid pass or proof of negative test from today
The new measures will affect any sporting events with a crowd over 10,000.
# vaccine programme
Vaccinations for vulnerable children to start next week, Taoiseach says
Micheál Martin said that vulnerable children will begin to receive vaccines from 20 December.
# New Rules
Unvaccinated people in Italy now banned from restaurants, bars and theatres
Those who have just tested negative in recent days for will no longer be allowed into concerts, movies or performances.
# covax
Ireland donates 500,000 Covid-19 Janssen vaccines to Nigeria
The vaccination rate in Nigeria is currently below 2%.
# Austria
Austria imposing national lockdown for all and making vaccinations mandatory
The lockdown will start from Monday and will be evaluated after 10 days.
The lockdown will start from Monday and will be evaluated after 10 days.
It's planned that Covid-19 vaccinations will be mandatory from 1 February next year.
Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg blamed the unvaccinated for an “attack on the health system”.
# vaccine certs
Use of Covid-19 passes extended to cinemas and theatres
A vaccination or recovery cert will now be needed to get into these facilities.
# Lockdown
Austria begins lockdown for those not vaccinated against Covid-19
About 65% of Austria’s almost nine million people are vaccinated.
# Coronavirus
German Covid infection rate soars as Slovakia reintroduces certain lockdown measures
The country has seen more than 201 cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days.
# HPV vaccine
Cervarix HPV vaccine can cut cervical cancer rates by almost 90%, new study says
The study’s authors said they hope the result encourage more people to get the jab
# Vaccines
US gives final approval of Pfizer's Covid vaccine for children aged 5-11
The dosage has been adjusted to 10mg per injection, compared to 30mg for the older age groups.
# Vaccines
US regulatory panel backs Pfizer’s low-dose Covid-19 vaccine for children
The FDA isn’t bound by the panel’s recommendation and is expected to make its own decision within days.
# Vaccination
Increase in number of people registering for Covid-19 vaccine - HSE
The HSE’s Damien McCallion said an information campaign will run over the next 10 days to encourage people to take up a vaccine.
# Vaccination
Pfizer reports Covid-19 vaccine more than 90% effective in children
The information was released as the US considers opening vaccinations to this age group.
# Vaccination
Vaccines are 90% effective at preventing deaths from Delta variant, study says
The study analysed data from 5.4 million people in Scotland between April and September.
# Coronavirus
De Gascun: Covid-19 cases 'will increase as restrictions ease', but vaccines are effective
Public health officials yesterday confirmed a further 2,180 cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.
# vaccination week
Pop-up vaccination centres to be extended on college campuses
The pop-up centres were established across 15 higher education sites two weeks ago as part of Vaccination Week.
# Your Say
Poll: Do you plan to get the flu vaccine this upcoming winter?
Flu vaccines usually reduce the risk of infection by 40-60%.
# Vaccination
Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro confirms he won't get Covid-19 vaccine
The far-right leader has generated controversy over his handling of the pandemic.
