Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has warned that there could be “significant levels of community transmission” this winter regarding seasonal respiratory such as Covid-19, the flu, and RSV.
This morning the government cabinet is set to meet in Dublin to discuss measures to tackle such viruses, with Minister Donnelly set to offer plans.
Reportedly, these include the roll-out of a vaccination programme in the first week of October, from next week. This will entail an adapted Pfizer vaccine for Covid-19 being rolled out as a booster for free to those who are eligible, along with a flu vaccine. These were secured under the EU Vaccines Strategy.
A flu vaccine programme for children is also scheduled to begin on the 9th of October, 2 weeks from now.
The news comes as EU health authorities begin urging a new wave of Covid-19 vaccinations for “vulnerable people,” including pregnant women.
At the same time, the US government is investing $600m in Covid antigen test kits which are to be distributed for free to homes that want it.
EU health authorities are urging a new wave of Covid-19 vaccinations for “vulnerable people,” including pregnant women, as the US government invests $600m in Covid antigen test kits.#gripthttps://t.co/KeQU4cImcv
— gript (@griptmedia) September 22, 2023
The US government also advised every American other than young infants to receive updated Covid-19 jabs earlier this month.
“[The] CDC recommends the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines,” the CDC said, adding: “Everyone aged 5 years and older should get 1 dose of the updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.”