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29th Jul 2021

Ireland’s rollout “most successful in Europe” as 70% of adults fully vaccinated, says Stephen Donnelly

Clara Kelly

Over 85% of adults are partially vaccinated against the virus.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said that Ireland’s vaccine rollout is the “most successful in Europe” as over 70% of adults are now fully vaccinated.

Donnelly praised the “amazing job” of vaccination centre workers on Twitter on Wednesday night, after visiting a number of vaccine centres throughout the country.

“Every day our vaccination programme continues to be the most successful in Europe,” he penned.

“Part of the reason is the amazing job being done in our vaccination centres. Every staff member, volunteer, etc deserves huge thanks – inc those at Kilanerin in Wexford (also serving South Wicklow).”

HSE CEO Paul Reid confirmed on Wednesday that over 70% of Ireland’s adult population are now fully vaccinated against the virus and 85% have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

“A great national milestone today. Over 70% of the adult population are now fully vaccinated and 85% partially,” he said.

“Over 50,000 more vaccines administered yesterday. With this continued pace, we all want to reverse the trend on Delta and protect more and more people from illness.”

Earlier this week, vaccine registrations opened for everyone aged over 16, just a week after the portal opened for anyone aged over 18.

The vaccine registration portal is now likely to open up for anyone aged 12 to 15 in the near future.

Ireland is currently the fastest country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for Covid-19 vaccinations.

The country also ranks 12th in the 38 OECD member countries in terms of vaccines administered.

The figures, which compare the seven-day rolling average of the 38 countries in the OECD, show that Ireland, in the seven days up to 18 July, has been vaccinating 1.24% of the population per day.

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