Dr. Margaret Fitzgerald:

We had concerns when hospital admissions and admissions to intensive care were higher and were notable among those who were not vaccinated and in pregnancy. We worked mostly with doctors from the migrant communities, in this instance, to produce short videos that could explain to the communities the advantages and the importance of the vaccination in case they did not pick it up from mainstream media.

Out of that initiative, we developed a series of videos, including on how to get a GP, how to apply for a medical card and what happens when one is pregnant. We did these in other languages in order that people from those communities who were not able to access mainstream health services could do so. We agreed the wording with the national immunisation office and HSE communications. It was aligned with the general communication for most of the population but it was an extra measure for people who did not pick up on the excellent messages that were out on radio, television and the media.