HSE Chief Paul Reid has said that Ireland’s vaccination rollout proves to be a ‘great example’ to other European countries as walk-in centres get ready to open this weekend.
The country is finally on a path toward normal life due to the 'pace of vaccine rollout' which has 'given us a path to some level of normality where we can rebuild the society and the economy,' he said speaking at the HSE's weekly update.
The HSE's vaccination operating model 'has proven to be agile' as he added that 'it has been changed 32 times based on policy decisions.'
The latest figures show that 71% of the population are now fully vaccinated against severe side effects of Covid-19 while 86% of the remaining adult population is partially covered.
Last week, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also commended the Irish rollout and said; 'I have looked at the numbers and developments over the last six months before coming here and Ireland is exemplary in the way it has approached this pandemic with all the difficulties we faced and overcome together.'
Meanwhile, HSE Chief Clinical lead, Dr. Colm Henry, said 'early signs' also show the five-day moving average is 'plateauing'.
While all of the indicators are pointing in the right direction according to early data, Henry said it remains "too early to say that for certain".
The five-day moving average is 1,264 and the 14-day average is 338 per 100,000.
He said, 'last week we were worried that we would be reaching 2,000 cases per day. This week, that doesn't appear likely now.'
The public is urged to avail of the walk-in vaccination services this weekend if you are 16 or older, as one opens in every county offering Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna doses.
