Dr Tony Holohan has warned the public that the future trajectory of the virus “remains uncertain” as the Delta variant continues to dominate, with the added threat of the Omicron strain.
Cases remain extremely high again, as 5,590 new infections were confirmed on Tuesday alongside a jump in ICU figures of seven to 117.
The Chief Medical Officer has echoed an earlier plea by an Taoiseach Micheal Martin for people to take their booster vaccines as soon as they’re offered one.
Speaking this evening, Dr. Holohan said: “The current high incidence of Covid-19 that Ireland is experiencing is driven by the Delta variant, which, coupled with the presence of the Omicron variant, means that the trajectory of the disease remains uncertain.
“Booster vaccinations have been shown to produce very strong antibody responses and are likely to provide protection against severe disease, hospitalisation and death from most variants, including Delta and Omicron, at least in the short term.”
According to the latest figures, the highest uptake has been among those over 75, and experts are reporting “significant reductions” in case numbers among them.
“In the over 75 age group, where people have been taking up the offer of a third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in high numbers, we are seeing significant reductions in the incidence of disease,” he continued.
“This is another positive development and further evidence that getting a third dose of Covid-19 vaccine helps to protect from the most severe effects of Covid-19.”
In his latest warning to the public, Holohan has said “do not wait until after Christmas to receive your booster” and that the benefits associated with it “far outweigh any potential risks that may arise in the meantime”.
Anyone who opts to receive their third dose this week, for instance, will be further protected within seven days of their appointment, a fact which Holohan says will allow people to be “confident in the protection the booster will offer them as we move closer to the Christmas period.
“As such, is it vital that all of us prioritise our booster appointments as soon as we receive them or make the time to attend a walk-in vaccination clinic if that option is available.”
