This announcement came minutes after it was reported that AstraZeneca would not deliver its contracted supply amount to the EU.
82% of Irish adults will have received their first vaccine dose by the end of June, according to An Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Speaking to the nation on Tuesday evening, Martin cited a number of vaccine statistics after announcing that Level 5 restrictions will remain in place until 5 April.
A vaccine supply forecast was released as part of the Government’s Living with Covid plan, which anticipated that 1.2 million doses will be administered by the end of March.
It predicted that up to 47% of Irish adults will have received their first dose by the end of April and 64% of adults will have their first dose by the end of May.
It also projects that up to 60% of people over 18 will be fully vaccinated by the end of June.
The Path Ahead. Vaccine Programme Update 💉😷 pic.twitter.com/A4BuWDzE61
— Fianna Fáil (@fiannafailparty) February 23, 2021
Shortly after Martin’s announcement, Reuters reported that an EU official informed them that AstraZeneca expects to deliver less than half the Covid-19 vaccines it was contracted to supply the European Union in the second quarter.
The EU’s ability to meet its target of vaccinating 70% of adults by the summer is expected to take a hit as a result.
Martin said that March must see case numbers decrease, as well as hospitalisations and ICU figures, so that things can reopen and stay open in the near future.
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