Trinity will open a temporary vaccination centre in the Exam Hall this week, where staff and students will be able to get vaccinated without appointment.
The centre, run by College Health, will offer first doses, second doses and booster shots.
It will operate from Tuesday, February 8th to Friday, February 11th and vaccination will be available between 10am and 4pm each day.
In an email to staff and students today, Director of College Health David McGrath said: “Just over 50% of fully vaccinated people aged 17 to 34 have already received their booster dose. Omicron remains a concern for people who have not been fully vaccinated and received their booster. I strongly encourage members of the College community to take up the vaccine.”
“Current research shows that two weeks after your booster, your protection against severe illness should go back up to 90%”, he said.
Staff and students wishing to avail of the service should bring their PPS number, a form of identification and proof of any previous doses.
McGrath continued: “Although Ireland no longer requires proof of vaccination to enter indoor public spaces such as bars, restaurants, museums, or large indoor events, this is not the case across most of the EU at present. Students should be mindful that, should they wish to travel to these areas, proof of booster vaccination may be required.”
Many countries in Europe still require proof of vaccination for some venues and activities. These include, but are not limited to, Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Slovenia and Spain. McGrath asked that students note the “logistical considerations” when embarking on Erasmus programmes or going on holiday abroad.
College has previously run walk-in vaccination centres in the Dining Hall and the New Square marquee.
In January, a group of Trinity students launched a campaign encouraging students and staff to wear red in support of a global week of action for vaccine equity.
In an email to students last month, Assistant Professor of Global Health Ann Nolan said that the campaign was “in solidarity with low-income countries, only eight per cent of whose population[s] have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.”
