HSE launches flu vaccine campaign as Registration Offices reopen

The HSE says the health system is resilient enough to handle both flu and Covid this winter.

There wasn’t a single lab confirmed case of flu last year because of covid restrictions, but health officials are warning the country won’t get away that lightly this year.

People with weak immune systems, the elderly, pregnant women, and children are all being urged to get their free flu jab.

Urging people to avail of the flu vaccine, Chief Clinical Officer with the HSE, Dr Colm Henry, said the health system will be able to cope with whatever may lie ahead…….

The Covid-19 vaccine booster programme gets underway this week.

Anyone over the age of 80 and those over 65 in long term residential settings will receive a third dose, which will be either Pfizer or Moderna, the two MRNA vaccines.

Lucy Jessop from the HSE’s National Immunisation Office says this may expand to other age cohorts in time…………………

Meanwhile, the public offices of the Civil Registration Service have reopened to members of the public who want to register births or deaths, or give notice of intention to marry with some restrictions in place in the offices.

The facility to register births and deaths by post or email has now ceased. This does not affect applications posted or emailed before the 1st October.

Emergency Civil Registration measures end – How to register a birth or death, or give notice of intention to marry from 1^st October 2021

From Friday, October 1, 2021, the public offices of the Civil Registration Service has reopen to members of the public who want to register births or deaths, or give notice of intention to marry. It is likely that some restrictions will continue for some offices to ensure social distancing and meet residual public health guidance. The facility to register births and deaths by post or by sending the required documentation by email will cease.  This will not affect applications posted or emailed before the 1^st October.

For information on how to register a birth, or death or give notice of intention to marriage please visit the HSE website here:

https://www2.hse.ie/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/registering-a-birth-death-or-marriage/how-to-register-a-birth-in-ireland.html

Find your Civil Registration Office at the HSE website here:

https://www2.hse.ie/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/contact-a-civil-registration-service.html

Arrangements for marriage notifications are as follows:

Any postal notification form received by post and/or email after September 30^th 2021 and postmarked/emailed on or before September 30^th 2021 can be accepted as the commencement of the 3 months’ notice period.

Marriage Notification Appointments:  Any postal notification form postmarked/emailed dated after September 30^th 2021 cannot be accepted. The 3 months’ notice begins on the day that the couple attend in person at their pre-booked appointment to serve notice of intention to marry.

If you are unable through illness to attend in person or are resident abroad you can request a postal notification form from a registrar if you want to serve notice after 30^th September.