The HSE has said there is a "hugely disproportionate number" of unvaccinated patients in ICU with the virus.
Pop-up Covid-19 vaccination centres will open across many college campuses this month, Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has announced.
The minister took to Twitter to say that his department has worked with the HSE and colleges as part of efforts to make it "as easy as possible" for every student and staff member to avail of full vaccination.
He also said that more than 83% of people between the age of 16-29 have already had their first dose and more than 78% in the age bracket are fully vaccinated.
Harris wrote: "Pleased to announce that my Department and I have worked with the HSE and colleges to ensure pop-up vaccination centres will open across many college campuses this month.
"These pop-up vaccination centres will be in addition to the regular vaccination centres which already operate in some colleges for the general public and in addition to a plan to ensure vaccinations can be accessed through student GP services.
"This is all about making it as easy as possible for every student and indeed staff member to avail of full vaccination and the protection that that provides."
https://twitter.com/SimonHarrisTD/status/1439130576494243844
Meanwhile, there have been 1,456 new cases of Covid-19 reported in Ireland on Saturday (18 September).
The figures released from the Department of Health on Saturday did not contain information regarding deaths related to Covid-19.
As of 8am on Saturday, 261 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 66 are in ICU.
The Department of Health said daily case numbers may change due to future data validation.
https://twitter.com/roinnslainte/status/1439205845586386949
On Saturday, HSE CEO Paul Reid said that while the number of patients hospitalised with Covid-19 are falling, Covid-19 cases in ICU have risen with a "hugely disproportionate number of unvaccinated patients."
"It's never too late to be vaccinated and our commitment stands to never leave anyone behind. It works," he wrote.
https://twitter.com/paulreiddublin/status/1439144472743497731
