Vaccination for people aged 18-34 begins but pharmacies await jab supplies

26-year-old Emma Healy, Macroom, Co Cork getting her vaccine from chemist Barry Broderick at Broderick's Chemist on Barrack Street, Cork on the first morning of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout at pharmacies for the 18-34 age group. Picture" Dan Linehan

Government plans to get people vaccinated ramp up from today as those aged between 18 and 34 can get the jab.

It was announced last week that young people can sign up to get the one-shot Janssen vaccine from pharmacists around the country.

The ramp-up has led Paul Reid, head of the HSE, to state that the entire adult population of Ireland could be vaccinated by the end of August. 

The HSE chief said that more than 49% of adults now fully vaccinated.

Some 120,000 Johnson & Johnson jabs will be distributed to chemists over the next week.

Darragh O'Loughlin from the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said there is huge demand for these jabs.

“In a lot of pharmacies, they’ve got people lined up to start getting vaccinated as early as this morning.

“The feedback from people aged between 18 and 34 who now have this opportunity to get vaccinated at the start of the summer has been really positive.

“We’ve had feedback from all around the country from pharmacists in small towns all across the country telling us how delighted people are at the opportunity to get vaccinated,” he said.

Retail chain Boots, one of the pharmacies signed up to administer the vaccine, said on July 2 that it has temporarily closed the booking system for young people to register for the Johnson & Johnson jab due to the demand.

Vaccine security

Charlie Pettit, 18, from Waterford, who is due to be vaccinated today, said the jab gives her better security.

She told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that even going back to work in a restaurant will give herself and her customers peace of mind.

Charlie said that working while unvaccinated in Dungarvan could make you nervous with the area having so many tourists.

“You have people coming from all over the country so it would just kind of put your mind at ease being vaccinated.

“And then also a lot of customers do tend to bring it up so it just make everyone a bit more comfortable with the whole process.” 

Charlie, 18, is also hoping to go on college placement in the UK later this year, so the vaccine gives her a lot more security in that regard as well.

Her older brother Douglas, who is also getting the jab today, said it is “almost reclaiming the opportunities that were taking by a pandemic”.

Douglas recently finished college and always hoped to travel afterwards.

It was announced last week that young people can sign up to get the one-shot Janssen vaccine from pharmacists around the country.

He said that the vaccine makes it possible for him to make plans for the coming months with some “peace of mind”.

Dara Connolly, who owns The Haven pharmacy in Dungarvan, said it is a very exciting day for them.

“We’re delighted to be at the heart of the community and helping people fight Covid.” 

Mr Connolly said they have 150 18 to 34-year-olds on their waiting list, but aren’t taking any more names until they get more supply.

He said that they could do 100 vaccines in their shop if the supply comes into place.

Immunologist Professor Luke O’Neill has described the enthusiasm of the 18 to 34 age cohort to get vaccinated as “great news” and indicated that there was no vaccine hesitancy in the age group.

“The fact that they’re lining up (to get vaccinated) is great news,” he told Newstalk’s Pat Kenny Show.

There was a greater risk in cycling to get the vaccine than there was in getting the vaccine, he added, saying the risk of clotting was “incredibly low.” 

The virus, even the Delta variant, was benign for those under the age of 18 with minimal risk, so he wanted Ireland to send any surplus vaccines to countries who need it, when everyone over the age of 18 who wanted the vaccine, had been vaccinated.

When asked about the possibility of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson removing the mandatory mask-wearing rule and making it a personal choice, Prof O’Neill said he thought it was too soon to do that.

“I don't envy any politician at the moment, there is a lot of unknown factors, it is case of damned if you do and damned if you don't,” he added.

How can young people get a vaccine

For young people looking to get a vaccine at a pharmacy, they do not need to book online.

However, they do need to book an appointment through the local pharmacy.

The Government said that if you are in the 18 to 34 cohort and would prefer to get your vaccine at a HSE vaccination centre, you can wait and register online later this month.

It said it will announce when it is your turn to register, but it is expected that the vaccine portal will open on July 9.

“If you register online you will be offered the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine or Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.

Charlie O'Donoghue, 29, from Clonmel getting his vaccine from chemist Barry Broderick at Broderick's Chemist on Barrack Street, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

“But you will also have an option to get the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine or AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. Getting either of these vaccines will mean you will be vaccinated earlier,” the Government said.

According to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, 750 pharmacies are participating in the vaccination programme with 40,000 doses of Janssen vaccine already in stock.

Between 205,000 to 210,000 doses due for delivery in July and more in August.

In July 100,000 AstraZeneca doses are expected.

The IPU has urged people to be patient as it will take time for supplies to reach each participating pharmacy.

Meanwhile, the hospitality sector is to meet the Government today to discuss a plan for the return of indoor dining. 

Dining inside had been due to reopen today, however, concerns around the spread of the Delta variant let to the Government to delay such an opening until at least July 19. 

The Government is considering including antigen testing results as part of the new vaccine certificate that would allow people to dine indoors. 

Adrian Cummins, CEO of Restaurants Association of Ireland, said that they are working toward reopening fully on July 19.

He said the groups have seven days to make a plan as it will take another seven days for businesses to prepare to open on that date. 

He told Morning Ireland that they were entering the talks with “an open mind" and called on the Government to “work night and day” with them to get a plan.