Dr Tony Holohan has issued a fresh appeal for people to get vaccinated as he offered fresh hope of further easing restrictions.
The Chief Medical Officer showed some rare optimism this week when he hinted that NPHET may begin plans to advice government on the long term easing of restrictions.
Speaking during a press briefing this week the country's top doctor said NPHET is working on vaccination targets to give the Government that could allow the country to move on from the pandemic.
He added that Ireland has “reasons for optimism” as it appears public health experts will advise Health Minister Stephen Donnelly in the coming days on long term plans to reopen society and the economy.
And speaking this evening Dr Holohan reiterated his message that a high level of vaccination could mean the end of restrictions in the near future.
He said: “We have to continue to drive up vaccination rates as high as possible. The higher we go the better the protection we have and the sooner we’ll be able to ease more of the economic and social restrictions that still remain in place.”
“Walk-in vaccination centres are opening across the country, anyone over 16 years of age can register for a COVID-19 vaccine.
"Encourage your friends and family to ensure they get reliable information about the vaccines available here and to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
“For our exhausted healthcare workers, the winter months ahead mean flu, other respiratory infection admissions alongside the backlog of scheduled and unscheduled care that has been disrupted due to COVID-19.
"We owe it to them to continue to maintain the basic personal public health protections; manage your contacts, keep distance, wash/sanitise hands regularly, cough/sneeze etiquette, avoid crowds, wear masks indoors and in crowded settings, if you experience COVID-19 symptoms isolate and get tested.”
