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, COVID-19 booster vaccines continue to be recommended in pregnancy.
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. 

Alternative to an mRNA vaccine
When an alternative to an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is required, contact HSE Live on 1800 700 700 to request an alternative vaccine type, which can be provided through HSE channels.
See Guidance on Management of Vaccination following Previous Allergic Reaction to a COVID-19 Vaccine.

Can primary vaccinations be continued outside of vaccination campaigns?
Yes, COVID-19 vaccines will also continue to be available for primary vaccination courses for those in recommended groups, regardless of the time of the year.
Getting your COVID-19 vaccine

Update on Primary Immunisation Schedule:
The COVID-19 vaccine currently available for primary vaccination, additional immunocompromised dose, as well as booster doses is Comirnaty® KP.2.
For 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

Are COVID-19 vaccines recommended outside of seasonal vaccination programmes?
As per the NIAC recommendations, at all times of the year, both during and outside of the seasonal COVID-19 vaccination programmes:
COVID-19 booster vaccines continue to be recommended in pregnancy.
COVID-19 booster vaccines should be offered to anyone commencing planned immunosuppressant therapy who has not had a booster vaccine in the previous 6 months.
COVID-19 vaccines will also continue to be available for primary vaccination courses for those in recommended groups, regardless of the time of the year.

Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
The COVID-19 autumn/winter programme ended on 28th February 2025.   
The NIAC spring programme recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination are available at National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).
The spring booster vaccination programme will commence on 3rd April 2025.

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.
For further information or to enquire about access to the HSE Vaccination History Search Application contact the A2I HIDS support team Healthmail: a2ihids.support@healthmail.ie Email: a2ihids.support@hse.ie or Phone 01 778 4998.

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 114KB, 1 page).

Resources (Information Cards)

Information resources for COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination programmes

Information resources for COVID-19 and influenza vaccination programmes will be based on orders and will be delivered with the vaccines.  This includes Record Cards and Patient Information Leaflets (PIL) and a small quantity of Booklets. COVID-19 PIL and record card must be given to those who receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

The COVID-19 record card can be found on the COVID-19 vaccination page which patients can access and this leads them to the Patient Information Leaflet.

COVID-19 vaccine materials are available 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

Can I correct an error in a vaccination record?
While it is essential that all vaccines given are recorded accurately and promptly, GP Practice Management Systems and the HSE GPVax and PharmaVax systems have been updated to enable vaccination corrections functionality. If you have made a mistake recording a vaccination dose, you can go into an existing vaccination record, update it and re-submit it.

If you require further information please contact your GP PMS, GPVax/PharmaVax Technical Support team.

In order to clarify and address any data issues, the National Immunisation Office (NIO) work with HSE Live to seek clarification. This will mean that vaccinators may receive a phone call from HSE Live to clarify data items. HSE Live is part of the HSE and the team work closely with the NIO and contracting office to seek clarification to resolve data quality issues.

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