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The government expects at least four million people in the state to be vaccinated against Covid -19 by the end of September.
Updated projections sent by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to TDs on Wednesday night say that while 700,000 people will be vaccinated by the end of March, the state now expects to receive about 3.7 million doses between April and the end of March. June and another 3.8 million. between July and the end of September. This would mean that at least 4 million people could be vaccinated at that time.
However, the majority of adults are expected to be vaccinated by late summer once the European Medicines Agency approves more vaccines in the coming weeks.
Evolution of timelines
In a letter seen by the Irish Times, Donnelly said it was “important to note that our projections and schedules are constantly evolving, as more vaccines are approved and delivery schedules are finalized.”
He wrote that “vaccine administration will be limited only by supply.”
“We plan to use these vaccines as soon as possible after delivery.”
Ireland has opted for five Advance Purchase Agreements (APAs) for vaccines and the process to opt for a sixth APA (GSK / Sanofi Pasteur) is underway.
Donnelly said that after the initial phase of deployment, there will be “considerable expansion.”
“This will be achieved through partnerships with GPs, pharmacists, and ultimately, it will be done through mass vaccination centers (MVCs).
“Engagement with GPs and pharmaceutical representatives is advanced and we hope to finalize the terms for their participation in the vaccination program in the coming days. The HSE is also finalizing plans to vaccinate GPs. “
Donnelly has also announced that figures on how many people have been vaccinated will be published in the Covid-19 data center starting this weekend.
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