Covid-19: 1,361 further cases reported in State, with 26 patients in ICU

HSE to operate walk-in vaccination clinics around country from Saturday to Monday

First-shot walk-in clinics are due to open around the country over the August bank holiday weekend for people aged 16 and up. File photograph: Alan Betson
First-shot walk-in clinics are due to open around the country over the August bank holiday weekend for people aged 16 and up. File photograph: Alan Betson

A further 1,361 cases of Covid-19 were reported in the Republic on Thursday.

The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 currently stands at 160, and 26 of those are in ICU.

Walk-in Covid-19 vaccination clinics will operate over the August bank holiday weekend for anyone over the age of 16 who is not yet vaccinated.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) will be operating clinics around the country from Saturday to Monday for people to get the first dose of a Pfizer vaccine.

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Damien McCallion, national director of the HSE’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, said “we want to make sure getting the vaccine is as easy and convenient for people as possible”.

"In particular, when people might be holidaying in Ireland over the long weekend, they can still avail of the vaccine at a location that is convenient for them," he said.

“People’s second doses can then be scheduled for a location near their home.”

If a person has already registered online for a Covid-19 vaccine, they should bring photo identification such as a passport, drivers licence, garda age card, student/school ID.

If a person is not registered online, they will be registered at the vaccination centre and must bring their PPS number, Eircode, mobile phone number, email address and photo identification.

The walk-in clinics are for the first dose only and those who attend will receive an appointment for their second dose by text message.

“This appointment will be scheduled at a vaccination centre close to your home address,” the HSE said. “If you need to change this to a different location, call HSE Live to arrange an appointment at a different vaccination centre.”

A full list of the locations and timings of the walk-in clinics are avilable here.

Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns is a reporter for The Irish Times