Students are now able to register for their Covid-19 vaccination through the HSE portal as of Monday 19 July. Prior to this, anyone over the age of 18 had the option of registering for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccination with a number of pharmacies across the country. According to Covid-19 Data Ireland, a further 5,327 Janssen doses have been administered as of July 20, meaning 160,609 have now received the single-dose jab.

The HSE portal automatically assumes that those who register are willing to receive the Pfizer/Biotech vaccine or the Moderna vaccine. However, there is a separate option by which those who register can opt-in for the Astra-Zeneca jab. By opting in for the Astra-Zeneca vaccine, over-18s can expect to be vaccinated sooner, although they may still be offered a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. 

UCD students were previously able to register with the Student Health Service for their Covid-19 vaccination. The Student Health Service was vaccinating those in group 4 (aged 16-69 who are at very high risk) or group 7 (aged 16-69 who are at a high risk) against Covid-19. However, since the vaccine registration for over-18s has opened, this service is no longer operating. 

Rosie Roberts Kuntz – Assistant News Editor