Stephen Donnelly confirms 3 million vaccine dose goal was hit over bank holiday weekend

"We have had a huge response from everyone who is eligible for the vaccine so far.”

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has confirmed on Sunday that the goal of vaccinating 3 million people with at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will be hit over the course of the bank holiday weekend. In a video address about the vaccination rollout programme, he said: “We are hitting 3m vaccine doses administered.” The Minister said that all key workers involved in the vaccination programme deserve “huge praise” as he said that the 3 million target being reached was an "amazing achievement". Donnelly added that “incredible work” has gone into maintaining the pace of the rollout, saying that there has been a "huge response" and uptake from the public thus far. "We have had a huge response from everyone who is eligible for the vaccine so far," he continued. “To those that isn’t yet eligible, let me promise you, let me assure you that we are doing everything we can to make sure that you get an option for a vaccine as soon as possible.” Everyone from the ages of 40 to 69 can now register for their first dose via the online vaccination portal and Donnelly himself received his first dose of the vaccine on Saturday. The Health Minister said that the Government plan to get vaccines "out the doors" and administer them to other age cohorts "as soon as is possible." In the video posted to Twitter on Sunday, he added: “We are getting them out the doors as soon as they come in and we will get to you as soon as is possible.” To register online for a vaccine, you will need a mobile phone number, an email address, your PPS number and your Eircode. If you do not have these things, you are advised to call the Covid-19 helpline to register by phone instead. For more information on how to register for a Covid-19 vaccine in Ireland using the new portal, check out JOE's handy guide here.