Booster (4th dose) Covid 19 Vaccine for those who are immunosuppressed.

All patients who are currently under my care who are on medical treatment (or who have medical illnesses) which would make them have a weaker immune system will have already have offered the extended course of Covid 19 vaccination (a 3rd dose of vaccine). This was recommended because of concerns that immunosuppression might reduce the effectiveness of standard dose of the vaccine. Most of these vaccinations were carried out in October / November 2021.

The HSE have now confirmed that those who have received this extra dose will be eligible for a 4th dose of vaccine ie a ‘booster’ dose.

The HSE website indicates that this will be offered to patients 3 months after their 3rd dose (or for those who have had a recent COVID-19 infection, 3 months after the onset of their infection) which means that most patients should be contacted in the next month or so for an updated vaccine dose.

All patients will be contacted directly by the HSE with instructions on how to avail of this vaccine (there is no need to contact my office about this).

I would encourage those who are contacted to avail of the vaccine as recommended.