Women attending maternity services in the Portlaoise and Mullingar Hospitals can avail of dose 1 and dose 2 vaccines at special walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics that have been set up.
The clinic in Portlaoise will be in at then Laois Vaccination Centre on St Fintans Campus on Thursday and Saturday between 10.30am and 4pm.
Prof Chris Fitzpatrick, Clinical Lead for the vaccination programme for the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and a Consultant Obstetrician, encouraged expectant parents to take the jab.
He said: “The walk-in vaccination clinics have proved to be a very popular option for people who have not been able to make a scheduled appointment.
“Although we are well advanced in the vaccination programme, we know there are still people requiring vaccination.
“Covid-19 poses significant risks in pregnancy to both mothers and their unborn babies – including admission to intensive care and stillbirth.
“There is now considerable evidence to show COVID-19 vaccines are very safe throughout all of pregnancy, and offer the very best protection to women who are pregnant.
“Both NIAC and the HSE recommend women who are pregnant or trying for a baby to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
“We therefore appeal to women and their partners as well as other family members to get the vaccine.
“We will continue to work with obstetricians, midwives and GPs to ensure we can provide clinics with the necessary flexibility to meet the additional needs of women who are pregnant – and greatly appreciate the feedback that we have received from women attending our vaccination centres.”
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