IRELAND'S vaccination programme passed two significant milestones on Thursday.
Not only has the country now administered a whopping six million Covid jabs to the population, it's also understood that 75% of all adults are now fully vaccinated against the virus.
Yesterday evening, HSE CEO Paul Reid said it was a "very proud day for Ireland" after the figures were officially announced during Thursday's weekly update.
"Today we'll administer the 6 millionth #COVID19 vaccine. I've no idea who that person may be, but congratulations to them in advance!" Reid tweeted.
"A great milestone overall and a huge thanks are due to the Irish public & everyone involved in delivering this vaccination programme."
Today we'll administer the 6 millionth #COVID19 vaccine. I've no idea who that person may be, but congratulations to them in advacnce! A great milestone overall and a huge thanks are due to the Irish public & everyone involved in delivering this vaccination programme. @HSELive
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) August 5, 2021
Mr Reid revealed that uptake of the vaccine is very strong, and that he expects another 230,000 vaccines will be administered over the next week.
Ireland has now opened up the vaccine portal to youngsters aged between 12 and 15-years-old, and while some see vaccinating children as unnecessary, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan defended the move, insisting that vaccinating as many people as possible was the fastest way out of the pandemic.
"Vaccination offers a real way out of this pandemic. The positive news is that take-up in Ireland is extremely high, which shows people understand the benefits for themselves and for their communities of getting vaccinated," Dr Holohan said.
"Those with at least a first dose in the over 40s is over 90%, in the over 30s it is 84%, in the 18 to 29 year age group it is over 73%, and in the 16-17 year age group, it is over 46%. These figures continue to increase, and each person who has come forward should be commended.
"It’s understandable that after the period of time that Covid-19 has been with us, that some people become tired of it.
"But the virus does not become tired. It doesn’t care if we are fed up, it only sees the opportunity to spread from person to person when we let our guard down."
