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THE HSE EXPECTS to have hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses by the end of February, but the supply is unlikely to surpass half a million by that time.
In a wide-ranging interview with TheJournal.ie, CEO Paul Reid said there are a number of factors relating to vaccine supply that are still uncertain as we approach the end of the year.
“One is what vaccine gets approved and when. We know about the Pfizer one and we know about 6 January for the Moderna one,” he said.
This week the European Medicines Agency (EMA) brought forward its meeting in relation to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which will now take place on 21 December. And yesterday European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Covid-19 vaccinations will begin in EU countries from 27 December.
The first batch of Pfizer vaccines in Ireland will consist of almost 5,000 doses. Reid said the HSE is in dialogue with the manufacturer seeking to increase the number of doses in that first delivery.
“The capacity of the suppliers is unknown and what that commitment ends up being based on our 1.1% proportion of distribution (within the EU),” Reid said.
“If you take the Pfizer one alone, 2.2 million is in our document of commitment from them, which is about 1.1 million of a population vaccination.
I would certainly expect between now and the end of February, we won’t be dealing with a million, we won’t be dealing with half a million, I think we’d be dealing with less than that. We should be in the hundreds of thousands – we’d expect to be.
He said the fact that all EU countries will be trying to access the vaccine at the same time will “put pressure on Pfizer”.
“Obviously we have a country relationship with them here, which I think helps.”
Addressing the European Parliament yesterday Ursula von der Leyen said that all the bloc’s countries could begin on the same day once the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved.
“To get to the end of the pandemic, we will need up to 70% of the population vaccinated. This is a huge task, a big task. So let’s start as soon as possible with the vaccination together, as 27, with a start at the same day,” she said.
“Finally, within a week, the first vaccine will be authorised so that vaccinations can start immediately, and more will follow in the new year.”
Very sad. His poor family. rip
God rest him god help his mum and dad
Tertible tragedy. Condolences
Shane Ross spouting on about the safety of an MMA event yesterday…music festivals can be just as dangerous
@Donnacha Bhoicaire: this has nothing to do with mma or shane Ross, walking down the street can be dangerous but getting in an octagon is putting your own life in danger
Going to a music festival or a concert in the 3 or a just about anything else can only lead to your death thru unfortunate circumstances
Stop trolling
@Donnacha Bhoicaire:
Total nonsense to suggest attending a festival is dangerous. Living is dangerous cause eventually you die. Have a great time before that happens. Very tragic for this man’s family and friends
Very unfortunate, but most likely a drug overdose. Most 19 year olds think their body can handle anything.. but it might also be peer pressure that led to this unfortunate end. I don’t know if good parenting alone can help in avoiding these type of deaths?
@kartz: Was thinking along the same lines, headline possibly missing a ‘p’ but we’ll see with post mortem results.
@kartz: why would anyone comment on parenting? Just offer your condolences and shut up.
Poor family. RIP.
@Dearbhla Russell: If you had even a bird’s brain, you’d have understood that I’m talking about peer pressure. I said good parenting alone can’t possibly prevent these incidents. I wonder if people like you only exist to express “RIP”, instead of addressing the problem’s root cause?
@kartz:
“Most likely an overdose”
Jump to conclusions why don’t you. Or do you know something the rest of us don’t?
@James Joseph Superior Power: “Most likely” is not the same as “Certainly”. I’m just saying out loud what many people may have in their minds. The point I was trying to make is not so much about this specific person, but about the the dangers of peer pressure on vulnerable teens.
@kartz: Unfortunately I was in Blanchardstown A&E all last night and up to 9am this morning. 5 young men attending this event were brought. This young man sadly lost his life, 2 very serious in ICU, 1 in general care sick but safe and 1 released home. That’s the full context. It wasn’t food poison! Seen family members trauma. Their lives forever changed.
@kartz: Inappropriate hurtful comments no matter what context you try put it into.
@kartz:
Wrong time and place to make such a point.
I would imagine most people would have their minds on the young man’s family and friends.
So very sad may he Rest In Peace. My own son attended that. Horrible worst nightmare for any parent to bear!
So very sad may he Rest In Peace. My own son attended that. Horrible worst news for any parent to hear
Close the comment section
So upsetting. That event should be scrapped it’s drug central. Probably the cause of this death RIP
RIP young man
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