Paul Reid has warned that Ireland is in for a "bumpy journey" in the coming weeks in the battle to suppress the Delta variant.
The HSE chief executive said this morning the country is in the middle of a 'white knuckle ride' trying to get as many vaccinations done as possible in an attempt to stem the spread of the highly infectious Covid strain.
New cases continue to rise daily, with almost 1,400 confirmed yesterday - the highest number in one day since February.
But Mr Reid also offered some hope with the news that despite the increase in cases, community transmission had reduced.
He tweeted this morning: "A bumpy journey for the next few weeks in terms of #Delta.
"Thankfully community positivity from testing reduced yesterday from 8.4% to 6.7%.
"Now 77% of people partially vaccinated and almost 64% fully. A white knuckle ride of vaccines versus Delta but let's get there."
Mr Reid also said this morning that National Immunisation Advisory Group (NIAC) has been considering whether to recommend the vaccination of children in the coming weeks.
“First of all, we are waiting for recommendations from NIAC in terms of recommendations for 12 to 15-year-olds and how and when they should be administered," he told Newstalk.
“Once we receive that advice, we will immediately put that into action – whether that is before schools return or post-schools return – we are looking at all options and from a HSE perspective, we will execute that once the advice comes.”
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