Nearly half of Irish adults fully vaccinated against Covid-19

Over 270,000 vaccine doses have been administered so far this week.

HSE CEO Paul Reid has confirmed that nearly half of Irish adults have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Reid revealed the figures in a Twitter post in which he said that Ireland should plan for the Delta wave of the virus with "concern", as well as with "a level of confidence". According to the CEO, almost 4.3 million vaccine doses have been administered, with over 2.56 million adults partially vaccinated - accounting for 68% of the Irish adult population. Meanwhile, 1.8 million adults are now fully vaccinated against the virus, equating to 48% of Irish adults. Over 55,000 vaccine doses were administered on each of the last four days, with over 272,000 delivered so far this week.

We should plan for Delta with concern & a level of confidence also. Almost 4.3M vaccines administered. Over 2.56M adults partially vaccinated (68%) & over 1.8M (48%) fully vaccinated. Over 55,000 administered on each of the last 4 days, & over 272,000 so far this week. @HSELive

— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) July 3, 2021

The figures come as the government is attempting to speed up Ireland's vaccine programme as the country prepares for a fourth wave of the virus, due to the emerging Delta variant. During the week, NPHET stated that Ireland was at the beginning of a fourth wave of Covid-19. Taoiseach Micheál Martin also said: "The simple truth is that we are in a race between the variant and vaccines and we want to do anything we possibly can to make sure that the vaccine wins." On Friday, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced that vaccine distribution for 18 to 34-year-olds will begin from Monday, 5 July. It was also reported that Ireland is set to purchase one million Covid-19 vaccines from Romania.