Surging cases of Delta will see the variant beat the vaccine in the important race this summer.
The sobering truth came from the HSE chief executive, Paul Reid at a technical briefing for journalists on Thursday afternoon.
The health service boss said he “wished” the HSE had “more time and more supply to stay ahead of the variant,” but admitted that sadly this is not the case.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has repeatedly spoken of the crucial race in recent weeks, saying that we must try and stay ahead of the variant with our jabs programme.
But Mr Reid has revealed the latest projections from the HSE show that the invasive variant will win the race.
He said that, unfortunately: “Delta will outmatch supply of vaccines.”
And the HSE’s chief clinical officer, Dr Colm Henry, also warned of the growing dangers of the variant.
Dr Henry said that the country’s “floodwall is still holding tight, but, as with other floodwalls, if cases rise high enough, it will be breached.”
Mr Reid said: “the most likely scenario is that the increasing prominence of the Delta variant will most likely outmatch the supply of vaccines over the coming weeks.
“So it is really key that we do take quite seriously and deal with the concern, the variant with the concern that it deserves.”
The Taoiseach has said primary legislation will be required to ensure there is a "solid legal grounding" for the reopening of indoor hospitality.
However, it could be moved swiftly through the Dáil within a week.
He said the Government will have a plan for reopening indoor hospitality by 19 July but he would not be drawn on a reopening date.
A high-level meeting between hospitality and government officials has wrapped up and it's understood the vaccine pass system is likely to be accepted.
However, more work is needed the hospitality industry has said.
