Vaccine portal to open for 12-15 age group next week

The Health Minister has said that Ireland's vaccine uptake has been "amazing".

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has confirmed that those aged between 12-15 can register for a Covid-19 vaccine from next week. In a Twitter post, the Minister said that the vaccine registration for children and young people in this age cohort is expected to open on Thursday, 12 August. Detailed information for parents about the vaccinations is available on the HSE's website and will be updated further. "I'm encouraging parents and these young people to seek information from reliable sources such as the HSE website," Donnelly wrote.

? The registration for a COVID-19 vaccine for children and young people, age 12-15 will open next week.

I'm encouraging parents and these young people to seek information from reliable sources such as the HSE website https://t.co/IIIa5S5lXO#ForUsAll pic.twitter.com/CPLcevJvQ6 — Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) August 5, 2021

Last week, the Government approved advice that will see Ireland's Covid-19 vaccine programme extended to include 12-15 year-olds. People under the age of 16 will need parental consent before receiving the vaccine, with the HSE portal set to be updated to allow for this. Earlier on Thursday, Donnelly said that Ireland's vaccine uptake has been "amazing" with 63.8% of those aged 16-17 already availing of a vaccine.

The uptake for COVID-19 vaccines in Ireland is amazing. These numbers grow everyday. The participation by people in getting fully vaccinated will benefit not just themselves, but all of us and our communities. pic.twitter.com/zOKJw9dtWB

— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) August 5, 2021

Meanwhile, 75% of adults will be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 from today (5 August) as Ireland is set to hit two "significant milestones" in its vaccination rollout. With 5.99 million vaccine doses administered up to Wednesday night, Ireland will surpass 6 million doses on Thursday.