‘The vaccine rollout will have to include children’
Full NIAC decision expected shortly

The HSE has been reported in the media today that the ‘vaccine rollout will have to include children if Ireland is to reach herd immunity due to the more transmissible delta variant’. (Irish Times, Friday 23 July).

The government’s advisory body, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), is expected to make a formal decision shortly on vaccinating 12-15 year olds.

While the commitment from the HSE in today’s media is welcome, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland will continue to urge for this vaccination programme to confirmed as government policy as soon as possible (on the basis of the forthcoming  NIAC advice)

CFI raised the need for a decision on vaccinating 12-15 year olds at a meeting on July 22nd for patient groups.

Online Recovery Certificate portal Update

According to an HSE press statement today, in addition to the Digital COVID Certificate freephone number, an online Recovery Certificate portal has been launched to allow members of the public request a certificate of recovery. Instead of calling the Digital COVID Certificate helpline, you can now fill out an online form to request a certificate of recovery. This can be accessed here Recovery Certificate Portal.

You can request this certificate if they have had a positive RT-PCR test more than 11 days ago and less than 6 months (180 days) ago. This certificate proves that you've had COVID-19 in the last 6 months (180 days) and is considered another form of the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

 If you have questions about your vaccination certificate, please continue to call the Digital COVID Certificate helpline on 1800 807 008 (or +353 76 888 5513 when calling from abroad). Queries in relation to a certificate of a COVID-19 test can be directed to your private test provider. We endeavour to constantly improve this service and the introduction of this accessible self-service portal provides another channel to allow members of the public request their recovery certificate.

General HSE Information on Profile of COVID 19 and HSE Vaccination

The following HSE slide deck provides information on the current profile and  significant progress in addressing COVID-19 in Ireland through vaccinations.

CFI raised the need for a decision on vaccinating 12-15 year olds at a meeting on 22 July for patient groups.

CFI acknowledges all the work of the DOH/HSE to tackle the COVID 19 pandemic, including policy makers, advisors  and frontline workers and of course CF clinical staff.