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TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN said that one million people could be fully vaccinated by the end of the day.
Speaking about the vaccine rollout in Cherrywood, south Dublin, Martin said he hopes the nation hits what he described as a “significant milestone” by close of business this evening.
“Over 3.1 million doses have been administered so far. Vaccination centres – 1.1 million administered through there, 1.4 million through GPs. They have played an extraordinary role.”
Martin said that supply will be the main impediment to Ireland reaching its 70% fully vaccinated goal by the end of July.
“It will be very tight. The decision to shorten the interval for the second dose of Astra Zeneca will help. A lot also depends on the uptake in the younger cohorts. It’s very important that people take up the vaccine offer when offered. When we all get vaccinated, we all protect each other.”
Ireland’s vaccine uptake numbers are the envy of many European countries, Martin added.
Almost 100% of people over 80 have accepted a vaccination. 96% of those aged between 70 and 79 have also been vaccinated, with 90% of those between 60 and 69 taking a jab.
In a statement last night, a spokesperson for the HSE said the vaccine portal is expected to open for those in their 30s soon. “The HSE expects to open online registration for people aged 30-39 shortly, as we continue to offer appointments to people aged 40-49.”
With reporting by Lauren Boland
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Great job
Registered last Wednesday and got a call from the gp for an appointment on Tuesday and simultaneously got a hse appointment for Wednesday. Very fast turn around delighted I’ll be joining the club next week.
It’s funny how much anti-vaxxers bang on about personal autonomy, yet they’re so concerned with railing against anyone else who in their own personal autonomy got vaccinated.
Or how they’re so concerned about unknown “long-term” side effects of vaccines (which is something basically unheard of) but have no concern for the same unknown long-term side effects of the illnesses vaccines prevent. Or even when we know the debilitating long-term effects of illnesses, for that matter.
@Gerard: That’s because anti-vaxers and conspiracy theorists generally aren’t really concerned about the validity of their arguments, its all about validating themselves as individuals . They want to look and other people and say to themselves go they are all sheep and Im smarter and better than them because I don’t go along with the status quo. That kind of attitude is usually driven by feeling of inadequacy and under achievement in other parts of their lives. And as Mark Twain said ignorance breeds confidence and wisdom breeds doubt.
@Robert Woodward: Wasn’t that Darwin, not Twain….. ;)
Looking forward to receiving my 2nd dose of Pfizer tomorrow, I only wish we had a plan for lifting mask mandates and restrictions on hospitalality like nightclubs and indoor dining times like Denmark has done.
@David Lee: yes, I hope to see the mask restrictions lifted for vaccinated people if it is safe and ok to do it. I struggle a lot with breathing without a mask and a mask just adds a tiny bit to this. I am exempt from mask wearing but choose to do so anyway. The issue would be those claiming to be vaccinated who are not and putting everyone at risk unless we start checking vaccination certs, which I am against. Let the opening up continue and count the infection rate and then review mask wearing as the last thing we need is to change too much too quickly and end up going backwards.
@David Lee: In Denmark you gotta have a corona passport (vaccine/negative test) to do most things indoors.
“Restaurants, cafés etc. are open for serving both indoors and outdoors. For indoor service corona passport must presented Night life such as clubs remain closed.
Museums, art venues, libraries, theatres, amusement part etc. are open. Corona passport must be presented.
Indoors organized sports activities are open. Corona passport may be required.”
@David Lee: Denmark are lifting restrictions for nightclubs in Sept/October. Masks will still be required on public transport, until Sept. You’re making out that Denmark is just easing all he restrictions when they are not.
Indoor dining opens here in July 5th.
Just got my second today and the relief is unreal after waiting a ridiculous 16 weeks between both. 2 more weeks and I’ll be fully vaccinated!
@Jen:
Why are you getting three doses??
@Doug: you are fully vaccinated 2 weeks after your second dose
Any idea when we oldies get the 2nd Astra Zeneca?
@Teresa Hehir O Murchu: 8 weeks after first shot is the current guidelines.
As in I COULD be a millionaire if I buy a lottery ticket
@Johnny Conway: you ok hun ?
Excellent News! Now lash it into the rest of us and we can get on with the rest of the plan! Soon we’ll all be under control, ahem, I mean free of covid, yes free of covid is what I meant, muwahhahaha!
One million out of how many in the country no good enough for a small country
@Margaret Kane: one million out if 3.7 million adults and doing very well compared to a lot of small countries
This is pure curiosity but does anyone know how long the vaccine will be effective for?is it 6/9/12 months? Thanks
@Radek Warchola: Depends on how much the virus mutates. Studies suggest it mutates much slower than the flu virus so I don’t expect people to have a jab each year like was needed for the flu.
@Alan Kenny: stopping the spread of the virus amongst those who haven’t been vaccinated is key to reducing potential for mutations, more opportunity the virus has to transfer and mutate the more infectious or deadly versions will appear, though it’s not really in the viruses interest to be deadly. The Kent mutation was in one person who had immune system issue and the virus was present for months just mutating away. We need to consider this when wanting all restrictions removed, I don’t like the restrictions but understand them from this viewpoint and we’re slowly getting there. With the sheer size of India and scale of infection there now, a few experts I’ve read have said they’d be surprised if there isn’t a few more mutations to come and from anywhere else with substantial outbreaks.
@This time its personable!: Even with the vaccine it won’t stop transmission. Vaccinated people will still carry it around but won’t get as sick.
@Alan Kenny: sorry that’s true, you’re correct. Sorry I should’ve made that clearer, what I meant was if it’s being transmitted but not with to vaccinated people it’s more chance for mutation.
@John McCann: Sad little tool of a man. There ya go.
So the Taoiseach’s office can give us an indicator of the vaccine rollout but the can’t be a€sed HSE can’t because of the cyber hack excuse. I suppose an hour with a pen paper and calculator would be too much of a strain on them to give us some estimate of figures
@Sean Treacy: Where do you think the Taoiseach would have got this information from… Cop on..
@Edward Natali: yes but how come the Taoiseach can give us this info and the HSE can’t
Brilliant news and the weather outside is fine.
have your say