He also said that it is possible that the vaccine will be rolled out in Ireland in January.
Stephen Donnelly has said that people will not be made to get the Covid-19 vaccine, despite reports that approximately 30% of Ireland are undecided about taking it.
Donnelly said that there are no plans to make the Covid vaccine mandatory in Ireland, though it is being discussed across the EU.
He said: “Several EU countries have introduced legislation on mandatory vaccination. We haven’t and I can tell you there has been no conversation at Government level about doing that.”
Speaking about the distribution of a vaccine, he said that it could be rolled out in January in Ireland.
“Potentially early in the new year we could be looking at things. I’d say December is unlikely, but quite soon… It is looking good. ”
Ireland is currently signed up to four vaccines, with a fifth expected to be approved shortly.
He also condemned the ‘anti-vaxx movement’ that is seemingly on the rise both in Ireland and abroad.
He said: “There is this anti-vaxx movement; a lot of what I have seen is misinformation and I think it is very dangerous but I think the vast amount of people see that for what it is and I think people are well-disposed to taking the vaccine when it comes out.”
Donnelly also said that relative to other countries in the EU, “we are in a good spot”.
He said that Covid cases will “inevitably” go up in December, but that people must try and remain as safe as possible.
You can listen to the interview with Gavan Reilly in full here.
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