The Taoiseach has said the deal for the unwanted vaccines is “good news” and “very welcome”.
Ireland is set to purchase one million Covid-19 vaccines from Romania, it has been revealed.
According to the Independent, the shipment is expected to comprise of around 700,000 Pfizer vaccines and 300,000 Moderna vaccines.
A spokesperson for the government said that the deal has been “agreed in principle” but that it is yet to be completed.
It comes as Romania has halted the importation of Covid-19 vaccines due to a low rate of uptake among the country’s population.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the deal is “good news” and “very welcome” and thanked Romanian president Klaus Iohannis.
The government spokesperson stated: “The Taoiseach has consistently been making every effort and working with his counterparts across Europe to increase the number of vaccines made available to Ireland.
“As part of this process, the Taoiseach had a good discussion with his EU counterpart, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis, and they agreed in principle to the purchase of one million vaccines. The process is continuing and is yet to be completed.”
The spokesperson added that the government will continue to work to speed up Ireland’s vaccine programme.
“The includes discussion with the European Commission and with member states, particularly those who may have potential surpluses,” the spokesperson said.
“Ensuring that as many people as possible can get vaccinated as quickly as possible remains the best way to combat Covid-19, particularly given the rapid rise of the Delta variant.”
Earlier on Friday, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced that vaccine distribution for 18 to 34-year-olds will begin from Monday, 5 July.
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