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The first batch of the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine arrived in Ireland and the initial vaccines are expected to be administered on Wednesday.
The vaccines will not be administered until December 30, as the HSE said that training and education for vaccinators must end before inoculations begin.
He said his “priority is the safe and effective implementation of all vaccines in a managed and systemic way.”
In a statement, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the arrival of the vaccines was a “significant and positive step forward after a very challenging year.”
The vaccine is stored under ultra-low refrigeration conditions in a safe place before the launch of the national vaccination program.
The Pfizer-BioNTech uses a new genetic mRNA technology, which means it should be stored at around -70 ° C.
Donnelly said the vaccine was “rigorously tested by the European Medicines Agency and found to be safe and effective.”
“It is a great achievement for the scientific and medical communities. This vaccine will save many lives.”
He added that the recent surge in cases “focuses our collective minds on the ongoing challenge of Covid-19” and urged people to continue to follow all public health guidelines.
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In a tweet just after the vaccine arrived, Donnelly asked “when is it worth photographing a refrigerator? When you just put the first #Covid shots from Ireland”.
When is it worth photographing a fridge? When you just had the first from Ireland # COVID-19 vaccines given it
The first doses have just arrived and many of them are in that very, very cold refrigerator.
We will start getting vaccinated in four days. #firm hold. pic.twitter.com/T9zletiOBS
– Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) December 26, 2020
Taoiseach Micheál Martin tweeted: “A day of great hope as we approach 2021. Those who work in our health services deserve great recognition as they quickly and safely begin deploying the most vulnerable in our society.”
Health Service Executive Director Paul Reid said on Twitter that “we can now have a ‘two-way’ approach to our response to # Covid19. Public health measures alongside the vaccine, for a better future.”
Has arrived! Receiving the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine in our cold chain storage this morning. We can now have a “two-way” approach to our answer to # COVID-19. Public health measures together with the vaccine, for a better future. @HSELive pic.twitter.com/hNzESqi0Wp
– Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) December 26, 2020
Earlier, he described today as a “momentous day” and said “there will surely be better days ahead.”
An early morning start to a momentous day. Departing to receive the first delivery of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine for HSE. There are sure to be better days ahead. For now, #Stay safe. @HSELive # COVID-19
– Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) December 26, 2020
The initial delivery of the vaccine is being organized alongside similar deliveries in the 27 EU member states.
The head of the working group on the Covid-19 vaccine, Professor Brian MacCraith, said the arrival of the vaccine represents “a bright new dawn of hope.”
After a truly horrible year, the arrival of vaccines today represents a bright new dawn of hope. Vaccination is a gateway to opportunity for the Irish to protect themselves against this terrible virus.
Initial delivery (same across EU 27) is now at -71 ° C. pic.twitter.com/3i6C4T2u13– Brian MacCraith (@muirtheimhne) December 26, 2020
HSE Clinical Director Dr. Colm Henry said that while the arrival of the vaccine is a positive development, people must keep their guard up, particularly with the increase in community transmission and the number of cases that follows. increasing.
It comes as medical director Dr. Tony Holohan confirmed that a more contagious form of coronavirus has been detected in Ireland.
He said the Health Service Executive is making arrangements to test recent arrivals to the UK and that anyone arriving from the country must be strictly isolated for a full 14 days after entering Ireland.
No new inter-county travel will be allowed starting tomorrow, although people already away from home for Christmas can return to their own counties.
The Health Department was notified of 1,296 new cases of Covid-19 today.
There have now been 85,394 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.
There have been six other deaths, bringing the total number of Covid-19-related deaths to 2,200.
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