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13th Jan 2021

Health Minister: ‘Everyone over 70 will get first vaccine by the end of March’

Rory Cashin

Minister Donnelly also stated that anyone working or living in a nursing home will receive their first vaccine by Sunday week.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly told Newstalk this morning the current progression of the rollout of numerous different vaccines currently available in Ireland.

Talking to Pat Kenny, Donnelly stated that the goal is to vaccinate 50,000 per week under the current conditions, with 700,000 people receiving at least the first dose of the vaccine by the end of March.

That would include the first three groups of prioritisation, which includes all those living and working in nursing homes, all frontline workers, and everyone aged 70 and over.

He also stated that everyone who works or lives in a nursing home should expect their first dose by Sunday, January 24, with 70,000 healthcare workers also expected to have received their first dose by that date, too.

The speed of vaccinations is set to rise in coming weeks, with yesterday seeing the first batch of the Moderna vaccine – the second vaccine passed for use in Ireland, along with the Pfizer vaccine – arriving in Ireland.

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