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Ireland will be ready to start Covid vaccines before Christmas if the EU advances its vaccine authorizations.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said this morning that “we will be ready” as soon as a vaccine is approved.
December 29 is the scheduled decision day, but this is expected to be brought forward as the UK is starting its vaccination program this week.
The pressure is on the EMA (European Medicines Authority) to accelerate the approval of one of the wonderful medicines that shows so much promise, the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine.
It has shown success rates of up to 95% and has already received a green light from the UK, and the US is expected to follow suit this week.
Mr Martin spoke in Cork this morning, where he described the Government’s approach.
He said: “We are part of the consortium of the European Union that has purchased vaccines in advance and the European Medicines Authority will determine… .. They have set a date towards the end of December, December 29 in terms of their decision regarding the authorization of this particular vaccine, the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine.
“We are working in parallel with them in terms of preparing our logistics.
“I look forward to receiving preliminary reports from the task force regarding the launch of the vaccines in Ireland.
“If the European Medicines Board advances its date, it is up to it and we will be prepared for it in any case.”
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