HSE expects to have offered 30% of the population their first Covid-19 jab by the end of this weekend

The HSE now hopes to be able to offer a further 220,000 to 240,000 doses of the vaccine over the coming week. File Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said it expects to have given 30% of the Irish population a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by the end of this weekend.

New figures show that some 45,000 people received vaccines on Friday - the highest total administered on one day.