The Taoiseach has announced that Ireland has now administered one million first doses of the Covid vaccine, despite the various issues that Ireland's vaccine programme has faced.
In a post on Twitter, the Fianna Fàil leader said: "Just been informed by the HSE that we’ve reached 1 million first doses of the Covid vaccine. Great work by all the vaccination teams and GPs across the country."
With regards to Ireland's vaccine programme, the Taoiseach also provided a review of the past week and outlined what's ahead.
"On the vaccination front, a good week for vaccinations with over 170,000 vaccines being administered last week by the HSE, which illustrates that when the supply comes in, we have the capacity to get the vaccines out as quickly as we possibly can.
"Great progress made on the over 70s, in terms of fulfilling our targets there and getting people vaccinated. The vaccines are having a great impact on reducing severe illness, deaths and transmission. So, we're looking forward to significant vaccinations in the week ahead and obviously, we have a significant announcement at the end of the week in terms of lifting some restrictions but we'll always continue to work together in challenging this virus and keeping the pressure on it," he said in a short video that was posted online.
During another interview with RTE this afternoon, Mr Martin was also quizzed about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Ireland is waiting for approval of that jab by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).
The Taoiseach described it as a "very important vaccine" and said NIAC can benefit from the examination of the Johnson & Johnson jab in the United States and Europe.
"It is reading and assessing all of that data prior to making its decision, and engaging with the chief medical officer," he said, adding that Pfizer and BioNTech are increasing vaccine supplies into the country.
Another 160,000 doses of the AstraZeneca jab are also due to arrive in Ireland this week.
Earlier today, the CEO of the HSE, Paul Reid also provided an optimistic review of the week when he said: "Strong week for the vaccination programme. Over 170,000 vaccinations done. Two days well over 40k and over 220k aged 62 to 69 registered. Over 90K appointments made for them.
134,000 medically vulnerable people had the first dose. 95% of the over 70s group had their first dose and 214,000 have received a second dose. More supplies helping."
