Amaranta Family Practice

• Over 70s rollout withAdapted Pfizer vaccine ongoing – if you are over 70 and have not been contacted by our practice, please contact reception.
• Update to vaccine rollout for patients aged 50-69 – These patients are now eligible for vaccination
• We will be vaccinating Cohort 4 & 7 aged 18-59 with Adapted Pfizer vaccine in General Practice – if you feel you are in one of these groups and have not contacted us, please read the eligibility criteria carefully and complete the contact form so we can tell you if you are in Cohort 4 or 7 and include you on our vaccine list

Please note: we are receiving a lot of queries at present, we would be grateful if you could read all the below information before contacting the practice for further information. If you need medical advice regarding whether you should take the vaccine or not or the vaccine you have been offered through the hospital system, please schedule a phone consultation with one of the doctors.

Cohort 4 – 7

Our clinic is vaccinating Cohort 4 patients aged between +12 – 65 to vaccinate those that do not attend the hospital or have not been invited by their hospital teams. We can vaccinate the following groups:

Cancer – Haematological – within 1 -5 years, Non-haematological – within 1 year. All other cancers on non-hormonal treatment.

Chronic heart (and vascular) disease – Chronic heart disease, for example: heart failure, hypertensive cardiac disease.

Chronic kidney disease – Chronic kidney disease with eGFR <30ml/min.

Chronic liver disease– for example: cirrhosis or fibrosis.

Chronic neurological disease or condition – Chronic neurological disease or condition significantly compromising respiratory function and/or the ability to clear secretions, for example: Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy.

Chronic respiratory disease – Other chronic respiratory disease, for example: stable cystic fibrosis, severe asthma (continuous or repeated use of systemic corticosteroids), moderate COPD.

Diabetes – All other diabetes (Type 1 and 2).

Immunocompromised – Immunocompromise due to disease or treatment, for example: high dose systemic steroids (as defined in Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland Chapter 3), persons living with HIV.

Inherited metabolic diseases – Disorders of intermediary metabolism not fulfilling criteria for very high risk.

Intellectual disability* excluding Down Syndrome (already vaccinated in Cohort4).

Obesity – BMI >35 Kg/m2.

Severe mental illness – for example: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression.

Covid Vaccine: Further Information

There is lots of information available on the HSE and government websites about the covid vaccine rollout and the vaccines being used at the resources below:

• HSE Covid Vaccine website – this is the main hub for HSE information on the Covid vaccine rollout and has information about getting your vaccine, vaccine efficacy, safety and potential side effects
• Information leaflet on Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Comirnaty – also available by clicking on the picture of the leaflet
• Simplified Easy-to-Read vaccine information on Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine
• Provisional Vaccine Rollout – Information on the provisional vaccine rollout allocation from Department of Health.

Important Vaccine Clinic Information – please read

• Please arrive at the time of your appointment and no earlier/later – we are running to a strict schedule while adhering to social distancing guidelines. If we are running ahead/behind, we will do out best to contact you accordingly.
• If you need assistance getting to and from the practice for your vaccine, please bring a friend/relative/carer/minder who can assist you with this.
• Please wear clothing that allows easy access to your shoulder, ie a short sleeved shirt/blouse under your jacket.
• This is a vaccine appointment only – we will not be discussing any other medical issues with you, we have to keep to a strict schedule to adhere to social distancing guidelines and required observation periods.
• Following your vaccine, you will be asked to stay in the practice for 15 minutes to monitor for any adverse reactions. If you have a history of anaphylaxis for any cause, you will be asked to remain on site for 30 minutes following the vaccine.
• We will give you an information leaflet on the day, but be assured that these are very safe vaccines. Some people will experience some side effects in the 48 hours after the vaccine, including sore arm, fever, headaches and generalized aches and pains. These can be treated with paracetamol and nurofen and should resolve within 2-3 days. Please note a fever following vaccination is a common expected side effect but if you experience a fever lasting more than 48 hours and/or any symptoms of COVID (cough/ shortness of breath / chest tightness / loss of smell or taste) please contact the clinic.
• If you have a history of anaphylaxis to any vaccine you should let us know. If you think you may be allergic to any component of the Comirnaty vaccine, please let us know, as you may not be eligible for the vaccine. Please contact the practice to discuss this if you have concerns around vaccine allergy.
• Please ensure you continue to adhere to public health guidance regarding cough etiquette, social distancing and hand washing following your vaccination.