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Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said that all nursing home residents and staff should have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by the end of the month.
Donnelly said that the country will receive 40,000 vaccines per week from Pfizer in January and February and that the vaccination numbers will be added to the existing data center showing daily Covid-19 figures.
The minister said on Twitter on Saturday that the first vaccines administered this week marked “an enormously important milestone.”
“We started with the healthcare workers in our hospitals and now we are moving into nursing homes,” he said.
“By the end of January, we plan to have vaccinated residents and all those who work in our 580 nursing homes (70,000) with the first dose.
“We have opted for a series of advance purchase agreements across the EU. At this time, Pfizer is the only vaccine approved for use by the EU regulator. “
February target
The HSE has set a goal of February 28 that all nursing home residents have received both doses, though it warned that potential outbreaks of Covid-19 at the facility may interrupt progress.
Donnelly said that all EU countries receive a proportional share of the Pfizer vaccine based on the size of the population. He said a decision on the Moderna vaccine is “imminent” and the AstraZeneca vaccine “looks promising.”
“As more vaccines become available and manufacturers increase production, the supply will increase. That will allow us to vaccinate more people, “he added.
The Health Minister also said that around 7.6 million doses were ordered or pre-ordered from Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and other manufacturers.
He advised the public to stay home, wear masks, and keep their distance.
“We can suppress this virus again with the support of all. We will get through this difficult time. There are better days ahead ”, he concluded.
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