Parents and guardians of children aged between five and 11-years-old can book Covid-19 vaccine appointments online from today.
Previously, this age group had to register with the Health Service Executive and were offered appointments at a time that may not have suited them.
Dr Lucy Jessop, Director of Public Health, National Immunisation Office outlined: "The HSE is now expanding access to clinics for parents and guardians of children, aged 5 – 11, with our online booking option. "It will give them an opportunity to bring their child for the vaccine at a time that suits them.
We appreciate that parents/guardians are busy and we want to help make it as accessible as possible. "Next week's midterm also gives parents another option to bring their children for a Covid-19 vaccine and we are encouraging parents and guardians to bring them along to one of our vaccination centres." Damien McCallion, HSE National Lead for Vaccinations said: "We understand that parents want information about the Covid-19 vaccine for this age group and would always encourage parents to find this information from trusted sources such as the hse.ie "Today, we are offering parents the opportunity to choose a time and clinic that suits them, we understand that parents are busy and this will give them more flexibility." All children in the five to 15-years-old cohort must have their vaccine appointment booked by a parent or legal guardian, who must also give their consent.