We are delighted to be now planning for the Covid 19 Vaccine rollout. We have not been advised which vaccine we will be delivered yet, but understand it will be either Pfizer or Moderna. We do not have a choice which one we can order for the Practice.

Once we are informed of the delivery date, all vaccines will need to be administered within a specific number of days from same. The 2nd Dose we expect to be scheduled for 4 weeks later. The same vaccine type will be used for both doses.

After having both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, most people will be protected against the virus. There is a small chance you might still get COVID-19 after vaccination. Even if you do get COVID-19, being vaccinated can reduce how serious your symptoms will be.

Depending on which of the above 2 vaccine types we are provided with, you may not be protected until 15 days after the 2nd dose. Vaccinated persons should continue to follow all current public health guidance to protect themselves and others. This is particularly important with the new strains of Covid that have developed. If you are cocooning and get your COVID-19 vaccine there is no change yet to current advice.

We do not know yet how long immunity will last.

We do not know yet if being vaccinated stops you from spreading COVID-19 to other people.

You will need to remain in our observation area for 15 minutes after your injection in case of an allergic response. Please advise us if you feel unwell after your vaccination.

If you are under the age of 70, you will not be given an appointment for Covid Vaccine at this point. Please await further announcements from the HSE re the next stage of vaccine rollout. This, we are advised, will be according to the government priority list which you can access here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/

If you are not a registered patient of this Practice, please contact your own Practice where you are registered. If you are not registered with any Practice & are living in this area, please feel free to contact us for further advice Tel.(053) 92 406 23.

Covid 19 Vaccine information

https://www2.hse.ie/covid-19-vaccine

Fever after COVID-19 VACCINES

It’s not unusual to develop a fever (temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above) after any vaccination. This usually happens within 2 days (48 hours) of getting the vaccine and usually goes away then within another 2 days. You are more likely to get a fever after the second dose of your vaccine.
If you feel uncomfortable, take paracetamol following the instructions on the box or leaflet.
If your fever starts more than 2 days after you are vaccinated, or lasts longer than 2 days, you should self-isolate (stay in your room). Phone your GP to arrange a COVID-19 test.

Other Possible side effects of the Covid vaccination

Most of these are mild-moderate & short-term. Not everyone gets side effects. Full details here: https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/side-effects-covid-19-vaccine.html

The common side effects after all the COVID-19 vaccines happen less often in people aged 65 and older. The common side effects after the Pfizer & Moderna vaccines are more likely after the 2nd vaccine dose.

In brief, after either the Pfizer or Moderna Vaccine, more than 1 in 10 may experience:

  • Tenderness, swelling or redness where you had the injection
  • Feeling tired
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Joint pain
  • Nausea
  • Fever (temp 38 degrees Celsius or above)

After the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, more than 1 in 10 people may also get:

  • Swollen lymph glands under the the arm where you had the injection
  • Vomiting

Less Common Side Effects

Pfizer Vaccine: more than 1 in 1,000 people may develop:

  • Itchiness where vaccine was given
  • Swollen lymph glands
  • Sleeplessness

More than 1 in 10,000 people may develop Bell’s palsy.

Moderna Vaccine: More than 1 in 10,000 people may develop:

  • Bell’s palsy
  • Swelling of their face – this can happen in people who have facial fillers

Serious side effects, like a severe allergic reaction, are extremely rare. These are seen in approximately 1 in a million people in the Moderna Vaccine, 1 in 100,000 for the  Pfizer vaccine. Your vaccinator is trained to treat any serious allergic reactions.