Vaccination Programme FAQs

Vaccine Certificates/Current Info

Are COVID-19 Certificates still being issued?
The EU regulation that required member states to issue EU Digital COVID-19 Certificates (DCC) expired on 30 June 2023, from 18 February 2024 the HSE will no longer issue COVID-19 vaccination certificates.

Guidance will be available to those requiring a record of vaccination, via the HSE website or HSElive on 1800 700 700.

Is the COVID Tracker app still in operation?
No, the COVID Tracker app was stepped down on Friday 30 June 2023.

Guidance on Vaccination

Can pregnant women be vaccinated outside of vaccination campaigns?
Yes, pregnant women in the appropriate stage of pregnancy and where the appropriate time since last dose of vaccine has elapsed can get their COVID-19 vaccine when it is due. 

Can primary vaccinations be continued outside of vaccination campaigns?
Yes for those eligible for COVID-19 vaccination
Primary courses for those aged 6 months and older.

Update on Primary Immunisation Schedule:
Primary Course Vaccinations Comirnaty® XBB.1.5. is now approved for primary course vaccinations, including additional immunocompromised dose, as well as booster doses.
Please note that there have been changes to the Primary dose schedule - please refer to NIAC Immunisation Guidelines.
For advice on who should receive an additional dose please see COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Health Professionals.
Or contact Immunisation@hse.ie

Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
The Spring Booster Vaccination Programme concluded on 14 June. Spring boosters may still be given up to 30 June, after which patients should be advised that the spring programme has ended. For exceptional cases which may arise, please contact immunisation@hse.ie for clinical advice.

Who do I link with for any clinical queries?
Link with NIO for any clinical queries - immunisation@hse.ie. The most recent updates can also be found at nio-news.com.

How do I look up patient’s vaccination record?
A 'Vaccination History Search’ facility is available to health professionals, via the HSE’s ‘Health Provider Portal’. This allows the health professional to look up the patient’s national vaccination record, and check eligibility in advance of vaccination, it has details of COVID-19 vaccinations that they have received.

Home Visits

Where can I register a patient who has to have a home visit for a Covid booster?
Referral pathway for Housebound patients

Clinical Guidance/Eligibility (link to NIO)

If there is an error with the use-by-date on vaccines who do I link with to report?
Contact NIO - immunisation@hse.ie

Who do I link with for any clinical queries?
Link with NIO for any clinical queries - immunisation@hse.ie. The most recent updates can be found at nio-news.com.

How to join the Vaccination Programme for COVID-19 and Influenza

What do Pharmacies need to join the Vaccination Programme?
To take part in the Vaccination Programme, Pharmacies will require:
- A Community Pharmacy contract with PCRS
- A National Cold Chain account
- Registered to use HSE PharmaVax
Note: Allow 1-2 working days from when account set-up sent to United Drug, for account activation from NCCS

What do GPs need to join the Vaccination Programme?
To take part in the Vaccination Programme, GPs will require:
- A PCRS contract
- A National Cold Chain account
- Registered to use a recognised GP Practice Management System (Socrates, HealthOne, Helix, CompleteGP) or GPVax to record vaccine administration records.
Note: Allow 1-2 working days from when account set-up sent to United Drug, for account activation from NCCS

Pharmacy listing on HSE Website

How do I add/update my details to the Pharmacy Finder?
Follow guidance on Pharmacy service listing request

Management of Consumables

How do I order Clinical Packs?

COVID-19 clinical packs can only be ordered with Covid-19 Vaccines on the NCCS Online Ordering system.
On the NCCS Online ordering page, a tick box is available to orders packs if required.

  • When ordering COVID-19 vaccine tick the “YES” box to receive packs in line with your order volume.
  • If sufficient packs are available in your site tick the “NO” box and none will be received.

For queries relating to clinical pack deliveries, or to order additional items contact:
Email: vaccine.support@jmc.ie or Phone: 0818 008 811

Note: Emails must be sent from a non-Healthmail account.

Who do I contact to arrange for sharp bins to be collected?
Arrange with Stericycle for sharp bins to be collected/delivered.
Contact: 1800 937 628 or serviceireland@stericycle.com or stericycle.ie

How do I order Antigen Test Kits?
GPs can order Antigen kits via the HSE’s PPE Demand Management System (DMS) secure online portal.

Management of Stock (Expired and Unused Vaccines)

What is the process for collection of expired vaccines in Primary Care?
Please contact United Drug Customer Service on 01 463 7770 or vaccines@udd.ie

Note: Emails to vaccines@udd.ie must be sent from a non-Healthmail account.

Any expired vaccine stock should be returned to NCCS using the normal process, see Vaccine Return Form (PDF, size 184KB, 1 page).

Resources (Information Cards)

How do I order COVID-19 vaccination information cards?

COVID-19 booklet and COVID-19 Vaccine record cards are available in print version, and are now available to order on www.healthpromotion.ie under the immunisation section. You can order materials to meet your requirements.

A new feature of the COVID-19 record card is a QR code which patients can scan and this leads them to the Patient Information Leaflet (PILs). As COVID-19 has now moved to business-as-usual, PILs will not be distributed with the vaccine.

All resources, including translated and accessible materials can be found on the HSE website at COVID-19 vaccine materials

Training Queries

Is there training available?
You will find training programmes developed by NIO by logging into your account on hseland.ie, selecting courses, then selecting clinical skills, and finally selecting National Immunisation Office.
Training modules for pharmacists in the provision of influenza are also available at www.iiop.ie

Data Quality/Data Correction

Who do I contact with the below queries:

  1. I have input the incorrect patient information in to the system
  2. I would like to get a patients record amended as I accidently put the wrong booster on their record
  3. I would like support to amend or correct vaccine records

Please contact the Data Quality Support team on 01 2408786

Payment Queries

Who do I contact as a GP with queries in relation to payments and PCRS?
Please contact PCRS on 01 864 7100 or email Pcrs.doctorsqueries@hse.ie

Who do I contact as a Pharmacist with queries in relation to payments and PCRS?
Please contact PCRS on 01 864 7100 or email PCRS.PPUQueries@hse.ie