Some 15,314 people have received a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine since its rollout began last week.
HSE chief Paul Reid provided the figure for those who've received the Pfizer/BioNTech jab since it arrived on our shores at the end of December.
Speaking at a HSE briefing, he said the rollout began with two deliveries – one on St Stephen's Day and one in the days following – and added that there have been two distributions of the jab so far.
Vulnerable members of society – as well as those working on the frontlines of the country's Covid-19 crisis – have been first in the queue to receive the vaccine.
Mr Reid gave the update after criticism of the Government over what some said was a slow distribution of the vaccine.
The news comes the day after the European Medicines Authority granted authorisation to Moderna's coronavirus vaccine – paving the way for a ramping up of inoculations across Europe.
Meanwhile, Ireland today smashed another unwanted record when it comes to the pandemic, with over 1,000 Covid-19 patients in the country's hospitals.
Mr Reid announced the grim figures – 1,022 patients, with 88 in ICU – on Twitter, calling the statistic a "sad milestone" in Ireland's virus battle.
"We've reached a sad milestone that nobody wanted to happen," he wrote.
"It concerns me relaying this. But I do know we will get through a tough time ahead, with your help. At the other side, it will be better."
He has already warned that the country's hospitals are now under "relentless" pressure as a result of a virus that's now infecting many thousands across Ireland every day.
Yesterday, the country broke another grim record as the Department of Health announced a staggering 7,836 new cases.
It came after the Taoiseach announced a raft of new lockdown measures – including the closure of schools and the halting of most construction work – designed to bring the virus back under control.
