We recommend a COVID-19 vaccine for people at risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
We have separate advice if you:
- are a healthcare worker
- are pregnant
Who should get 1 dose a year
We recommend a free COVID-19 vaccine once a year if you:
- are age 60 to 79
- have a condition with a risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and are age 6 months to 79 years
Wait at least 3 months to get the vaccine after a COVID-19 infection.
If you do not have a risk of severe illness
We do not recommend routine vaccination for adults age 18 to 59 who do not have a risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
But you can talk to a GP or pharmacist about 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine a year if want to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Who should get 2 doses a year
We recommend 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine a year if you:
- are age 80 and older
- live in a long-term care facility and are age 18 or older
- have a weak immune system and are age 6 months and older
Wait at least 3 months to get the vaccine after:
- your last COVID-19 vaccine
- a COVID-19 infection
If you never had a COVID-19 vaccine
You can get a COVID-19 vaccine anytime if you never had a COVID-19 vaccine in the past.
Talk to a GP about:
- your risk of severe illness from COVID-19
- how many doses you need
- the best time to get the vaccine
Where to get a COVID-19 vaccine
People age 12 and older can go to a:
- GP who offers COVID-19 vaccination
- participating pharmacy
You can also phone HSE Live to find out where to get a vaccine near you.
Freephone 1800 700 700
People under age 16 must attend their vaccination with a parent or legal guardian.
If your child is under age 12
Children under age 12 must have an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
To make an appointment for your child, phone HSE Live on freephone 1800 700 700.
Children under age 12 cannot get the vaccine at a pharmacy or GP surgery. The vaccine dose for young children is different.
Residential care or home vaccination
HSE vaccination teams give the vaccine:
- in residential care facilities including nursing homes
- to people who cannot leave their home
To organise home vaccination, contact your GP or phone HSE Live on freephone 1800 700 700.
Vaccines we use
The Comirnaty vaccine (manufactured by Pfizer) is an mRNA vaccine. This is the COVID-19 vaccine we use for most people.
COVID-19 vaccine side effects and safety
Some people cannot get an mRNA vaccine or choose not to get one. In this case, the Nuvaxovid (Novavax) vaccine is usually recommended.
Nuvaxovid (Novavax) vaccine
The Nuvaxovid (Novavax) vaccine is currently not available in Ireland.
We are trying to get supplies of the vaccine but we do not know if or when it will become available.
You can phone HSE Live and ask to be contacted if Nuvaxovid (Novavax) becomes available.
Freephone 1800 700 700
How long the COVID-19 vaccine takes to work
It can take up to 14 days for your immune system to respond to the vaccine and give protection from serious complications of COVID-19.
There’s strong, reliable evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19.