Sir, – The HSE has now announced that Covid-19 booster vaccinations will be available for 50-59 year-olds next week. This comes as a surprise to the large number of us in the 60- 69 years cohort who have not yet been called for our boosters.
I did receive a text from the HSE pointing out the importance of the booster vaccine, with which I concur, and directing me to organise the booster myself at a walk-in centre, pharmacy or my GP. There are seven HSE vaccination centres in Dublin, only two of which are offering booster vaccines on a walk-in basis for 60-69 year-olds this week.
Remarkably, there are Dublin HSE centres offering walk-in boosters for the 50-59 year age cohort even though their booster programme commences next week. There are only limited time slots available for any walk-ins.
One can only conclude that capacity is restricted compared to the very successful initial vaccine roll-out or is the HSE is resting on its laurels?
– Yours,etc,
P O’REILLY,
Sutton, Dublin 13.
Sir, – A case in point to Simon Carswell’s article (News, December 9th). I am 69, doubly vaccinated for five months since November 30th and still awaiting a booster appointment.
I realise that there are so called “walk-in” clinics in the county but a clinic that may require a round trip of 70km, speculatively, and a wait of some several hours can not reasonably be described as “walk in”.
The HSE’s organisation of the booster programme has been not just a shambles but a disservice to the many staff who work so hard on the front line. It has also been a misrepresentation of peoples’ attitudes to the campaign, as witnessed by the numbers presenting at UCD this morning – hardly a lack of enthusiasm there.
– Yours, etc,
BREFFNI SCALLY,
Bridgetown,
Co. Wexford.
Sir, – As a community pharmacist vaccinator, I can attest to the overwhelming public desire to receive the booster vaccine, certainly in the cohorts permitted to date. Furthermore, I have not experienced any no-shows for scheduled booster appointments in our pharmacy. There are enough negative narratives in circulation – the real story needs to be given a shot in the arm!
– Yours, etc,
THEO RYAN ,
Friar’s Hill,
Wicklow town.
A chara, – Once again we have information but no Information Technology (IT) from the Health Service Executive
Were the HSE, GP and pharmacists' IT systems validated before use? Covid-19 has shown very clearly that our IT is light years behind and a shambles.
– Is mise,
GERRY BUCKLEY,
Ennis ,Co Clare.
Sir, – It beggars belief that the HSE rolled out the initial Covid-19 vaccines in such an organised and efficient manner and have now made an absolute shambles it would appear of the booster campaign.
It would seem to me that using the same database would have been the way forward. Most of my cohort (60-69) have gone to walk-in centres as they received no message.
Dare I say it’s GUBU (grotesque, unprecedented, bizarre, unbelievable) again.
– Yours, etc,
SIOBHÁN DENHAM,
Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Sir, – I am between 60 and 69 years of age. I didn’t get an appointment for a booster. I have several friends who didn’t receive an appointment either. Checked the HSE website which said do nothing, we will contact you. Obviously we are making alternative arrangements.
Someone tell the Taoiseach please. – Yours, etc,
MIRANDA O’SULLIVAN,
Ballybough,
Dublin 3.