Over 18s to be able to register for mRNA vaccine from tomorrow; 1,100 new Covid cases confirmed
The HSE also said that those in the 18 - 34 age group who have put their name down for a Janssen vaccine at a pharmacy can still register on the portal or by phone for another vaccine, as they may be offered an mRNA vaccine or the AstraZeneca vaccine earlier than a Janssen one.
Everyone over the age of 18 will be able to register online or by phone for an mRNA Covid-19 vaccine from tomorrow.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced the move this evening.
Mr Donnelly said the registration for this cohort was brought forward because the country’s vaccination programme was “ahead of schedule and continues to perform well.”
The HSE’s online vaccination portal opened to those aged 24 - 29 last Friday.
On Monday, it was announced that people aged 18 - 24 could ‘opt in’ and choose to get an AstraZeneca vaccine through the portal, if an appointment for this vaccine became available earlier than an mRNA one.
The HSE also said that those in the 18 - 34 age group who have put their name down for a Janssen vaccine at a pharmacy can still register on the portal or by phone for another vaccine, as they may be offered an mRNA vaccine or the AstraZeneca vaccine earlier than a Janssen one.
Almost 7,700 cases of Covid-19 have been notified in Ireland in the last seven days, an increase of 88% on the previous week.
That's according to Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, who this evening revealed that incidence rates have been rising in almost every county.
In a statement this evening, Dr Glynn said the highest 14-day incidence rates were in Donegal (725 per 100,000 population), Louth (474 per 100,000), Dublin (307), Limerick (258), and Galway (257).
"During this spell of fine weather, we know that the vast majority of people are continuing to protect themselves and others by following the public health advice," Dr Glynn said.
"This remains really important as we seek to protect as many people as possible through vaccination over the coming weeks."
Dr Glynn said vaccines and public health remain the country's "pathway out of this pandemic."
"As we have said since the vaccine programme began, Covid-19 vaccines are extraordinarily effective at reducing each person’s individual risk of hospitalisation or severe disease.
"Please avail of the opportunity to get protected through vaccination when it is offered to you," he added.
Dr Glynn was speaking as a further 1,110 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed by officials at the Department of Health this evening.
As with previous updates, the Department of Health said these daily case numbers may change as a result of future data review, validation and update.
As of midnight, Monday 19th July, we are reporting 1,110* confirmed cases of #COVID19.
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) July 20, 2021
21 in ICU. 89 in hospital.
*Daily case numbers may change due to future data review, validation and update.
This morning, there were 89 patients with Covid-19 being treated in hospital - down from 101 on Monday morning.
21 of these patients were being treated in intensive care units.
Earlier, HSE CEO Paul Reid confirmed that some Covid-19 testing sites around the country are now seeing test positivity rates of around 25%.
Mr Reid said many other testing sites in several counties were now seeing positivity rates of at least 10%.
“The more widespread it [the virus] is in the community, the more it can break through to those vaccinated," said.
“For a few weeks, let's all take care, aim to see this off and reduce illness."
In Northern Ireland, one further death and 1,138 new cases of Covid-19 were reported this afternoon.
There has now been a total of 2,164 Covid-19-linked deaths recorded in the North since the pandemic began, and a total of 143,460 cases confirmed there.
This morning there were 188 patients being treated for Covid-19 in Northern Irish hospitals, six of whom were in intensive care.
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