Vaccine portal for 12- to 15-year-olds opens ahead of schedule

Registration on the Health Service Executive's Covid-19 vaccination portal has opened for 12- to 15-year-olds ahead of schedule, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said.

The portal had been due to open for that age category on Thursday. However, in a tweet on Wednesday night, Mr Donnelly said the portal was now accepting registrations for 12- to 15-year-olds.

At least one parent or legal guardian will need to give consent for their child to receive the vaccine, which can be done online.

The HSE vaccine registration portal has been modified to allow parents to provide consent for their children to receive the vaccine.

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When you register for your child via the portal, you will receive a text message with a link allowing you to approve parental consent.

If you do not provide consent online, or register over the phone, a parent or guardian will need to confirm consent at the vaccination appointment.

Most children will receive an appointment at a mass vaccination centre near their home, or in a pharmacy.

Evening vaccine clinics will also be run in a limited number of GP clinics and pharmacies to facilitate parents accompanying children after work. They will be offered a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine through a vaccination centre.