COVID-19 vaccine rollout to start today
Over 85s will be the target of a major COVID-19 vaccine rollout - which starts today.
The cohort will receive the Pfizer and Moderna jabs for the first time.
It's hoped the next cohort - those between 80-84 - can start to get their vaccines in three weeks time.
It marks a step into the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccine programme, after efforts to administer doses to nursing home residents and frontline healthcare workers.
Spent time today with the vaccination teams in the centre in Sligo, @itsligo. A lovely atmosphere as 500 GPs & Practice Nurses are vaccinated there. A great cooperation by everyone to make this happen. Thank you all, @HSELive @IMO_IRL @ICGPnews @defenceforces @AmbulanceNAS pic.twitter.com/dP5VQGpfHC
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) February 14, 2021
As of Thursday, February 11th, just under 90,000 people have received both doses of the vaccine.
261,073 doses have been given to people between first and second doses.
However, the government and the HSE have come under fire for the progress of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout so far.
World data suggests 5.2 vaccines have been administered per 100 people in Ireland, which is above the European Union average.
It's hoped the introduction of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has been given to 7,644 people so far, will help speed speed up.
In addition, the AstraZeneca jab will not be given to over 70s, as was initially expected, which has slowed progress somewhat.
