18 to 49-year-olds can now book Covid-19 vaccine from today

18 to 49-year-olds can now officially book a second Covid-19  booster vaccine from today.

The announcement follows after the chief clinical officer with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Dr Colm Henry, said that he is 'very concerned' about the steep rise in cases of Covid-19, in addition to rises in influenza and other respiratory illness cases.

It also follows recent reports that many of Ireland's hospitals are currently facing overcrowding issues.

The Irish Independent pointed out that, as of yesterday morning, 35 people are being treated for Covid-19 in ICU.

Dr Henry has said that there has been a more than 100 per cent increase in the number of cases of flu, and people needing hospital admission for flu.

He said: "In the week ending on December 24, we had 2,329 flu cases reported, compared to 1,174 the previous week.

"People needing hospital admission for flu jumped to 637, from 299 the previous week.

"Covid-19 cases increased to 3,809, compared to 3,118 the previous week, with 737 people in hospital with Covid-19."

Dr Henry continued: "Getting a vaccine, whether it’s your next Covid-19 booster, or a flu vaccine if you or your children are due to get it, can really help to protect you, the people around you, and our health services.

"Since flu season can last for 12 weeks or more; it’s not too late to do that now."

He also told RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland programme that there has been a rise in over-75s presenting to emergency departments, with half of them being admitted.

In addition, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has also authorised a first vaccine for infants and children aged six months to four years, while children aged five to 11 can get a first booster vaccine.

Anyone aged 18-49 can make an appointment for their second Covid-19 booster through the official HSE website.

Meanwhile, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called on the HSE to 'do everything necessary' to protect the physical and mental wellbeing of nurses and midwives, following reports of overcrowding in hospitals.

INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: "Our hospitals have never seen this level of activity at this time of year with high levels of overcrowding impacting care in hospitals large and small.

"Our fragile health service is being held together by an exhausted and burnt-out workforce. We know anecdotally that many rosters are depleted due to illness."

She continued: ""Today, over 631 people have been admitted to hospital but are on a trolley in our emergency departments or elsewhere in our hospitals coupled with 690 COVID patients in our hospitals.

"We know that our public health system is not equipped to deal with providing emergency care, COVID care and elective care at the same time.

"The HSE must outline both locally and nationally what resources they are utilising from the private sector from now until the end of February. The health service, both public and private, must work as one.

"Our members are working in situations that are extraordinarily dangerous: there is now a real concern that nurses cannot provide safe care when conditions are so difficult, and rosters so stretched.

Ms Ní Sheaghdha concluded: "The HSE must do everything that is necessary to protect the physical and mental wellbeing of our nursing workforce at this challenging time."