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COVID-19 is here and it’s the responsibility of everyone to help prevent or slow down the spread of the virus – in our COVID-19 resource section, we have collected all of the most up to date information and materials to help educate and support our members and their families during this most difficult time.
Find all of the resources and latest news here: https://downsyndrome.ie/whats-happening/covid-19/
COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
The vaccination programme continues to be rolled out nationwide, and more than 819,676 vaccines have been administered as of the 29th March 2021. Vaccination of people aged over 70 continues, with all who are aged over 70 due to have received their first dose by mid-April.
Group 4 vaccinations, for people aged 16-69 with certain health conditions that put them at very high risk is underway. Our hospital and healthcare teams continue to work to identify, contact and vaccinate people in Group 4. For now, people in this groups don’t need to take any action.
Update on vaccinations for Group 4 (very high risk) and Group 7 (high risk)
Starting in April, GPs will be vaccinating some people in Group 4 who are not regularly in contact with hospitals, and subsequently people in Group 7, those at high risk from COVID-19. GPs will make contact with patients in due course, for now people don’t need to take any action.
Vaccinations for Group 5 (people aged 65-69 at high risk) and Group 6 (people aged 65-69)
Vaccines will be provided to all people aged 65-69 through HSE vaccination centres, starting later in April. People will be invited to register online soon, using public information and news media.
You can read more information about these updates on vaccinations for people in high risk groups on this page dedicated to the vaccine rollout – https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/rollout/rollout.html
Update to Vaccination Allocation Groups
The Government has this week approved an update to the COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Strategy. This strategy sets out the groups to be prioritised for vaccination to best achieve the vaccination programme’s objectives of preventing serious illness, hospitalisation and death. It is based on clinical, scientific and ethical frameworks produced by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and the Department of Health. For further information please visit
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/
New multi-lingual video messages on Covid-19 vaccines
The HSE has today launched 36 multi-lingual video messages on the Covid19 vaccine in Ireland. The video messages were developed by Translate Ireland with the support of the National Social Inclusion Office and National Immunisation Office.
The videos are now available to view here. Simply select the required language on that page, e.g. Albanian, and you will be able to watch the new video in Albanian and also access other HSE COVID-19 resources in that language.
The videos are available in the following languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (Mandarin), Croatian, Czech, English, Filipino, French, Georgian, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Kurdish Sorani, Latvian, Lingala, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Moldovan, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Urdu, Yoruba and Zulu
Vaccination bonus
People who have received the second dose of the vaccine more than 2 weeks ago, can now meet indoors with other fully vaccinated people from 1 other household without wearing masks or staying 2 metres apart. This measure comes into place immediately. Please remember that if you have received the second dose, you have to wait 2 weeks until you can meet other fully vaccinated people indoors.
Enhancements to Test and Trace
Source investigation has been introduced by HSE Test and Trace this week. Source investigation is a core public health function in the investigation and control of outbreaks of communicable diseases. Conducting this activity aims to identify where transmission may have occurred in more cases. We can use this information where possible to interrupt the chains of transmission. It will provide real-time information about events and situations of where the virus is spreading to Public Health Teams. Public Health Teams may then decide if testing is required for other people who were at that same setting or event to stop further spread of disease and of clusters of COVID-19 developing in the community. Read more here.
Where to find COVID-19 Vaccination Information
We encourage everyone to read about the COVID-19 vaccine and to get their information from a factual, trusted source – here are the links to the pages with information on the vaccine:
Public Health Information
As always, for the most up to date information and advice on Coronavirus, please go to: https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/
Afternoon Routine Sample
Book Talk Supporting Interactive Book Reading
Calm Down – Deep Breathing (2-sided)
Children’s Services Support Document for Parents during COVID-19
Communication Activity Ideas
Countdown Calendar
COVID-19 Testing PPE
Daily Schedule Options
Deep Breathing Can Help Me Feel Better
FRE Yoga Calming Visuals for Early Childhood or Special Education
Gross Motor Skills – Parent Booklet (Primary)
Heavy Work Activities for Kids
Morning Routine Sample
Multisensory Shape and Writing Activities
Our Top Six Tips
Sensory Processing Booklet for Parents
SLT / OT – Top Tips for Junior and Senior Infants
Supporting People at Home with Additional Needs during COVID-19
The Corona Virus Staying at Home – Social Story
Things to Do While at Home
Whole Body Exercises and Obstacle Course