Recommendations regarding eligibility for primary series COVID-19 vaccination are unchanged (Section 5a.5 Chapter 5a COVID-19 Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee).
• For those aged 5 years and above the recommended primary series now consists of a single dose of age-appropriate COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.
• For those aged 6 months to 4 years the recommended primary series now consists of:
a. two doses of age-appropriate COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for those with no prior history of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
b. a single dose of age-appropriate COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for those with a prior history* of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
*Prior history of COVID-19 can be confirmed by any of; positive PCR test, antigen test or clinical diagnosis. For example, a single dose primary series could be considered in a child who had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 at a time when household contacts tested positive.
• For those with immunocompromising conditions aged 6 months and older, the recommended primary series consists of two doses of an age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine.
A third dose may be administered following instruction from a relevant specialist physician.
• Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is now the preferable COVID-19 vaccine, where available, for all those eligible for primary series vaccination, and should be given as follows:
aged 6 months – 4 years: Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 (3 mcgs) with interval of four weeks between doses if two doses are required.
aged 5 – 11 years: Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 (10 mcgs) 1 dose.
aged 12 years and older: Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 (30 mcgs) one dose.
Immunocompromised:
Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 two doses of the age-appropriate vaccine, with a four-week interval between dose one and two. If a third dose is required there should be an interval of eight weeks between dose two and three.
Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5 can be offered for primary series in adults and children aged 12 years and above with a contraindication to a mRNA vaccine, or in those who choose not to receive a mRNA vaccine:
a. For immunocompetent adults and children aged 12 years and above, a single dose is recommended.
b. For those with immunocompromising conditions, 2 doses should be administered with a four-week interval between dose one and dose two.
If a third dose is required, there should be an interval of eight weeks between dose two and three.
• NIAC no longer recommends a shorter interval first booster dose. Subsequent doses should be administered as per seasonal recommendations.
Recommendations may be updated when more information becomes available.