28/04/2021 Comments are off AideenC
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Vaccination for frontline health workers update

A Health Service Executive (HSE) Communication issued today (Wednesday, 28th February) on the vaccination for frontline healthcare workers who are new employees or have not yet been vaccinated.
 
The communication confirms:

  • Covid-19 vaccines are available to all newly appointed Frontline Health Care Workers (FLHCW) or a FLHCW who has returned to the workplace and was not previously registered for Covid-19 vaccination on the Healthcare Worker Portal.
  • If a FLHCW meets the criteria for the cohort (age groupings) currently eligible for registration on the public portal OR in a previous cohort i.e. age is greater than or equal to the category currently being registered, then they should register on the public portal for vaccination.

If a FLHCW aged less than the current group eligible for vaccination and has not yet received a Covid-19 vaccination, then the following process should be followed: 

Contact only one of the email addresses listed below/in the attached communication i.e. the one which covers the area for your home address:

Cork, Kerry – Email here 
Waterford, South Tipperary – Email here 

Carlow, Wexford, Kilkenny – Email here
Dublin South, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Wicklow – Email here 
Dublin South West, Lucan, Saggart, Rathcoole and Kildare – Email here
Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath  – Email here 
Dublin North City and County – Email here 
 
In addition, as per sequencing schedule, please note the groups currently being vaccinated against COVID-19 are:

  • people aged 65 years and older who live in long-term care facilities (group 1)
  • frontline healthcare workers (group 2)
  • people aged 70 and older living in the community (group 3)
  • people aged 16 to 69 who are at very high risk (group 4)
  • people aged 65 to 69, including those at high risk (groups 5 and 6)
  • people aged 16 to 64 who are at high risk (group 7)

Since last Friday (23rd April) registration is open for people aged 60 to 69. 

The HSE has advised it expects to increase daily appointments to approx. 20,000 per day from next week. 

SIPTU understand 160,000 vaccines are due to be received from AstraZeneca on Friday and appointments for next week will be offered based on this delivery.

The HSE advised SIPTU representatives that it is meeting later today to consider the latest advice received from NIAC to include issues such as vaccination during pregnancy.

We expect to receive further updates on this matter and encourage you to download the SIPTU Health Division App and subscribe for regular updates.
25/04/2021 Comments are off AideenC
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Your right to workplace health and safety

SIPTU Health Division members will remember all workers who’ve been killed or injured in work-related accidents on international workers’ memorial day, which takes place this Wednesday (28th, April). Along with trade unions across Europe, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has adopting the theme ‘workplace health and safety – it’s your right’ to highlight the need for robust health and safety practices in all workplaces.

This year’s memorial day will feature a commemorative wreath-laying ceremony to remember all those who have been killed, injured, or made ill at work. An online event will be broadcast on ICTU’s social media platforms at noon on Wednesday.

Worker safety and health is everyone’s business and can only be tackled through a collaborative approach. New figures from the Health and Safety Authority show that there were 490 work related-deaths in Ireland between 2010 and 2019.

International workers’ memorial day presents an important opportunity to remember those who have lost their lives or sustained injuries at work, and place health and safety center stage in the workplace.

21/04/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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National Vaccination Programme update

SIPTU representatives met today (Wednesday, 21st April) with representatives of the HSE National Vaccination Team. 

At the meeting, HSE representatives confirmed an IT Portal opened last week for people aged between 65-69 years of age.

SIPTU representatives understand 122,000 registrations have been received to date. 41,800 appointments have issued and 3,150 people have attended for vaccination so far.

SIPTU representatives were advised the HSE is currently engaging with GP practices relating to the vaccination plan for Category Four and Seven. It is expected over 1,000 GP practices will remain as part of the programme. 

People under 60 years of age will be offered the Pfizer/Moderna vaccine as the advice of The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC)

Healthcare workers (HCWs) who have received a first dose AstraZeneca vaccine will be offered a second dose vaccine in line with NIAC advice. 

At the meeting, the HSE also confirmed it has asked all Hospital Groups and CHO Areas to provide a special email address for the purpose of being a contact point for healthcare workers who have not yet been vaccinated.

This may include staff returning from maternity leave, career break or other long-term absence. Details of these contact points are to be provided to the unions shortly for wide distribution. 

SIPTU representatives were advised an extension of the statutory instrument is being considered to widen the scope of grades who may undertake the vaccinator role. 

Finally, SIPTU representatives were advised 26 of the proposed 37 vaccination centres are currently open.

It was confirmed all staff working in a vaccination centre will be offered a vaccine in line with NIAC advice.

Members can view a full update from SIPTU Health Divisional Organiser, Kevin Figgis here

20/04/2021 Comments are off AideenC
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Get retirement ready with Cornmarket

SIPTU Health Division members can tune into a FREE Retirement Planning webinar, hosted by Cornmarket exclusively for our members, on Wednesday 28th April from 5.00 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.

If you are planning to retire in the next couple of years, this event is for you! Click HERE.

The online information session will offer guidance on all aspects of retirement, from financial planning to taking care of your mental health during the transition. It will run for 90 minutes and will feature an interview with Brent Pope on the emotional impact of retirement and maintaining your wellbeing.

SIPTU Health Divisional Organiser, Kevin Figgis, will introduce the session and Cornmarket’s financial experts will talk about how to make your pension pot go further. 

Registration for the event is free.

it’s never been more important, or easier, to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Encourage colleagues to join SIPTU Health Division HERE.

  • Contact us HERE
  • More information on Cornmarket can be found HERE
15/04/2021 Comments are off AideenC
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HSE Update: Online vaccine registrations

From today, Thursday, 15 April, people aged between 65 and 69 can register for their COVID-19 vaccine online.

To avoid delays when we open registrations this week, we are asking people to register on different days depending on their age:

Registration dates and age groups

·       Thursday, 15 April, people aged 69 should register

·       Friday, 16 April – people aged 68 should register

·       Saturday, 17 April – people aged 67 should register

·       Sunday, 18 April – people aged 66 should register

·       Monday, 19 April – people aged 65 should register

If you are a staff member in this age group and you haven’t already registered for your vaccine then you too can register this week.

Register here for your vaccine

Online registration – information for patients and service users

People in this age group who are registering online will need their Personal Public Service Number (PPSN), their Eircode, an email address or a mobile phone number.

A friend or family member can help If someone is finding it difficult to go online and register or they can ring HSELive for support on 1850 24 1850 or 01 240 8787 from 8am to 8pm, 7 days.

Once registered the person will receive their vaccine appointment for the Vaxzevria® vaccine (also known as AstraZeneca) from Thursday, 22 April.

14/04/2021 Comments are off AideenC
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Vaccination update for SIPTU members

SIPTU representatives today (Wednesday, 14th April) met representatives of the HSE National Vaccination Team for an update on the progress of the national vaccination plan.

At the meeting, HSE representatives confirmed that National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) advice states the AstraZeneca vaccine should only be given to people between 60 and 69 years old.

AstraZeneca was being used for Category 4 (People aged 16-69 with a medical condition that puts them at very high risk of severe disease and death) and remaining health care workers (HCWs)

Arising from this decision, SIPTU representatives understand all AstraZeneca vaccination clinics have been cancelled for this week and revised arrangements will be published. 

SIPTU representatives were told that approximately 810,000 doses of AstraZeneca will be received between April and end of June 2021. Initially, these doses will be used for Category 4 people aged between 60-69 years old. 

SIPTU representatives were advised 660,000 Pfizer vaccines would be received in April and that an IT Portal will open for people aged 65-69 years old this week. 

The Portal will issue appointments to the nearest vaccination centre for the address given by the registrant. We understand it will be expanded to other categories as soon as possible. It is likely the next age category will be 60-64. 

SIPTU representatives were advised people aged between 60-69 years old in Category 4 will be given an AstraZeneca vaccine. SIPTU were informed registrants will be advised on the appointment system and it will be the AstraZeneca vaccine they will be given. SIPTU understands a choice of vaccine will not be offered.

SIPTU was advised that approximately 150,000 healthcare workers (HCWs) have received a first dose vaccine to date and that a HCW who has received a first dose AstraZeneca vaccine will be offered a second dose vaccine of the same brand. 

The HSE stated the gap between vaccines has been changed on clinical advice and HCWs under 60 years old will have a gap of 16 weeks. Those over 60 years of age will have a gap between vaccines of 12 weeks. 

There is no clarity yet to confirm what option for vaccine will be available to HCWs aged under 60 years of age, or remaining Category 4, who have not yet been vaccinated. 

SIPTU representatives understand this is being reviewed currently and we are awaiting developments. 

SIPTU representatives were advised the expected delivery of vaccine from Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is now not due to arrive as it is being withheld by the manufacturer. It was expected 14,000 doses would be received this week. This is now not the case and further developments are expected. The J&J vaccine is a one dose vaccine. 

In the immediate term, SIPTU understands most available Pfizer vaccines will be used to complete Category 3 (people aged 70 and older) of the sequencing document. These vaccines will be administered by GPs in the community and the National Ambulance Service for house-bound people.  

SIPTU representatives did raise concerns with the lack of communication from the HSE to their staff on the recent changes to the vaccine programme, with specific reference to healthcare workers who have been vaccinated or are yet to be vaccinated. This point was accepted.

SIPTU representatives were advised our members concerns would be raised with national health officials with a view of such a communication document being developed. Parties agreed to re-engage next week on updates and ongoing issues. 

If you would like to contact the union about your experience please email ask@siptuhealth.ie

To subscribe for these updates please click here

The current order in which people in Ireland will be vaccinated against COVID-19

(Category 1) People aged 65 years and older who are residents of long-term care facilities (likely to include all staff and residents on site) 

(Category 2) Frontline healthcare workers 

(Category 3) People aged 70 and older 

(Category 4) People aged 16-69 with a medical condition that puts them at very high risk of severe disease and death 

(Category 5) People aged 65-69 whose underlying condition puts them at a high risk of severe disease and death 

(Category 6) Other people aged 65-69, other healthcare workers not in direct patient contact, and key workers essential to the vaccine programme 

(Category 7) People aged 16-64 who have an underlying condition that puts them at high risk of severe disease and death 

(Category 8) Residents of long-term care facilities aged 18-64 

(Category 9) People aged 18-64 living or working in crowded settings 

(Category 10) Key workers in essential jobs who cannot avoid a high risk of exposure. 

(Category 11) People working in education sector 

(Category 12) People aged 55-64 

(Category 13) Other workers in occupations important to the functioning of society 

(Category 14) Other people aged 18-54 

(Category 15) People aged under 18 and pregnant women 

Find out more


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