COVID-19 Vaccination Service

COVID-19 EU Digital Primary COVID Certificate

If you have been vaccinated against COVID-19 within Ireland, an EU Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) is issued as proof (in digital or paper format). Pharmacies aren't able to issue EU DCCs as proof of COVID-19 vaccination. If you received your COVID-19 vaccination from the pharmacy, the details of the vaccination are submitted to the centralised HSE COVID-19 vaccination portal. This information is used to issue you with an EU DCC and is usually issued within five days of completion of a course of vaccination.

For further information, visit the EU Digital COVID Certificate section of gov.ie. For queries in relation to your Digital COVID Certificate, please call the Department of Health helpline number, which can be found on the gov.ie page.

Who shouldn’t get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Most people will be able to get the vaccine safely. However, you shouldn't get the Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech) or Spikevax (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine if:

• You've had a severe allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the vaccine, including Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) or Trometamol

• You had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) after having a previous dose of the Spikevax (Moderna) or Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccine

• You've had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the Spikevax (Moderna) or Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccine

If you've had an immediate allergic reaction to any other vaccine, injectable therapy, due to an unknown cause or a condition called mastocytosis, you should talk to your doctor before getting the COVID-19 vaccine. You will not be eligible to get the vaccine in the pharmacy.

If you had pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart) after having a previous dose of the Spikevax (Moderna) or Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccine you will need to talk to a specialist doctor who will determine if the vaccine is suitable for you.

If you recently received the monkeypox vaccine (Imvanex or Jynneos) youneed to wait 4 weeks before you get a COVID-19 vaccine because of theunknown risk of myocarditis.

When should I cancel my vaccine appointment?

You should cancel your appointment if:

• You currently have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have a confirmed COVID-19 infection. When getting a COVID-19 vaccination you must wait until the recommended time interval has passed since you first had symptoms and you’ve clinically recovered, or you first tested positive (if you didn’t have symptoms). Visit HSE.ie for more information.

• You're waiting for a COVID-19 test result

• You have a temperature of 38°C or higher

Are there side effects to the vaccine?

Mild side effects of the vaccine include a sore arm at the site of injection, feeling tired, a headache and feeling achy. If needed, you can take painkillers such as paracetamol. If your symptoms get worse or you’re worried, call 999 or 112.

Serious side effects to any vaccines, like an allergic reaction, are extremely rare. Remember, these vaccines are new, and information about long-term side effects is limited. As more people in Ireland and around the world get vaccinated, more information may become available. You can find out more in the HSE vaccine information leaflets.

How long will my appointment take?

Your in-store appointment will take around 30 minutes. This includes the 15 minutes you need to remain in store for after your appointment.

Keeping safe during your appointment

Looking after our customers and colleagues remains our top priority. Please don’t come into store for your appointment if you have COVID-19 symptoms, you're awaiting a COVID-19 test result, or you're required to self-isolate or restrict your movement in line with current HSE guidance. Symptoms of COVID-19 include a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, fatigue, shortness of breath and a loss or change in sense of taste or smell. COVID-19 symptoms can be like symptoms of a cold, flu or hay fever.

Instead, please cancel your appointment by contacting our Customer Care Team on 1 800 812 245.** Alternatively, follow the link given in the message you received in your appointment confirmation.

Do I have to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

From meningitis to measles, there are recommended vaccines to help protect us from serious illness and disease. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine isn’t compulsory. But as many of us know, COVID-19 symptoms can lead to serious and, in some cases, life-altering health complications. Having a COVID-19 vaccination will not only help to protect yourself, but it will also help protect those around you. If enough people receive a COVID-19 vaccine, it will help to create ‘herd immunity’.

For the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the HSE website.

I'm pregnant/breastfeeding/planning a pregnancy, should I have the COVID-19 vaccine?

Evidence shows COVID-19 vaccines are safe for you and your baby and protect you from getting very unwell. But COVID-19 vaccines are new. We're still learning about them. There’s no evidence to suggest that a COVID-19 vaccination is unsafe if you're pregnant. There's also no known reason to avoid breastfeeding after you're vaccinated. If you're pregnant, a dose can be given at any stage of pregnancy. Talk to your obstetrician or GP about getting your COVID-19 vaccine. Follow the links for more information on COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

If you're pregnant, the current recommendation is that you can get an mRNA type vaccine. The Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech) and Spikevax (Moderna) brand of vaccine are types of mRNA vaccine.

Who is eligible for vaccination in Community Pharmacy?

To be vaccinated in a Community Pharmacy, you must be aged 12 years or over and in the current HSE recommended group for a primary or booster vaccine and eligible for the vaccine brand supplied to the pharmacy. Please be aware that the brand of vaccine available in a pharmacy store is based on stock delivered by the HSE. For more information on eligibility and HSE COVID-19 Vaccination information, click here.

Do I need to pay for the vaccination?

No, the COVID-19 vaccination is provided free of charge to all eligible people in Ireland. You cannot get it privately. However, you must provide your PPSN when booking your appointment. If you don't have one, you can order one online here.

I don’t have a PPSN, what do I do?

A Personal Public Service (PPS) Number is a unique reference number that helps you access social welfare benefits, public services, including the COVID-19 vaccination and information in Ireland. You can apply here online to get a PPSN.

Do I need to bring anything with me for vaccination?

If you're aged 16 years or over you must bring your photo ID (to include proof of your age) like a Driver's Licence, Passport or Public Services Card and your Personal Public Service (PPS) Number. If you arrive for your appointment without the required proof of eligibility, the pharmacist will not be able to give you your vaccination. If you're bringing a child aged 12 to 15 years for their vaccination, you should bring a form of identification with the child’s date of birth on it. This can be their passport or birth certificate. If these are not available, any identification like a Public Services Card or school ID would be helpful also.

There's an error message on the booking site, what do I do?

If there's a known technical problem with the booking site, we will add a message to this page advising customers of the problem. If you don’t see such a message, we recommend trying to access the booking page using a different internet browser, like Google Chrome or a different device. The booking form is compatible with the following browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, IE8, IE9, IE10, IE11 and Edge. For additional support, contact Boots Customer Care Team by phone on 1 800 812 245.**

I can’t find an appointment in my preferred store, what can I do?

If you're in one of the current HSE scheduled groups eligible for vaccination in the pharmacy, but can't find an available appointment in one of our stores providing the service, please phone a member of our Customer Care Team on 1 800 812 245, and they will do their best to help you.**

What do I do if I want to cancel/amend or change my COVID-19 vaccination appointment as the time doesn’t suit me?

If you wish to re-schedule or cancel your appointment, follow the link provided in your booking confirmation message. For further assistance please contact Boots Customer Care Team by phone on 1 800 812 245.**

I cannot attend my COVID-19 vaccination appointment due to having symptoms of COVID-19 or waiting for a COVID-19 test result, what do I do?

Cancel the appointment as soon as you know you won’t be able to attend. You can do this by following the link provided in your booking confirmation message. To reschedule the appointment, please contact Boots Customer Care Team by phone on 1 800 812 245.**

Can I book the COVID-19 vaccination for multiple people?

No, multiple bookings aren't possible. Each person wanting a COVID-19 vaccination needs to complete their own consultation form and appointment booking.

Which COVID-19 vaccination will I get if I go to Boots?

Access to specific COVID-19 vaccines will depend on what’s recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, the vaccines available in the country at the time, and the stock supplied to the pharmacy by the HSE. The vaccines currently being administered in Boots are the Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech) and Spikevax (Moderna) vaccines, but this may change as more vaccines become available.

If I need a second dose of vaccination to complete the primary course, do I have to book it?

If you attend a Boots store for your first dose of COVID-19 vaccination, you only need to book your first appointment. The store team will book the second one at the time of your first vaccination appointment, as the timing of the second vaccination will vary depending on your age and is very important for the effectiveness of the vaccine.

How long will my COVID-19 vaccination remain effective for and will I need to have it again after a certain amount of time?

The immunity provided by a vaccine can vary. Some vaccines – like for polio – can offer long-term protection (although a booster dose is often required), while other vaccines – like for the flu – are needed every year. Some viruses like the flu virus change regularly, and new vaccines are made to match the latest strains. Scientists haven't yet confirmed how long COVID-19 vaccines will provide immunity. Both natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity are important aspects of COVID-19 that experts are trying to learn more about. The HSE will keep us informed as new evidence and information becomes available.  You can find the current HSE guidance on the booster vaccination programme here.

I think I have symptoms of COVID-19, but I've had a COVID-19 vaccination, what do I do?

You cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccination, but it's still possible to get COVID-19.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are the recent onset of any of the following:

• A new, continuous cough

• A shortness of breath
• A high temperature
• A loss of or change in your normal sense of taste or smell

If you have any other COVID-19 symptoms, even mild ones, you should stay at home until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone and avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from COVID-19. Do these even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination, or had COVID-19 in the past.

You usually do not need to have a COVID-19 test but for further information visit the HSE website here.

I had a bad reaction to the COVID-19 vaccination, what do I do?

If you're having a medical emergency, please contact 112 or 999. Otherwise, please contact your GP or pharmacist where you got your vaccination. You can report a suspected adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit www.hpra.ie/report and scroll to the COVID-19 Adverse Reaction online or paper form.