Vaccines for children needed to reach herd immunity

NO REPRO FEE 22/07/2021 Pictured today (l to r) Dr Colm Henry, CCO, HSE and Damien McCallion, HSE National Lead, Vaccination Programme at Dr Steevens’ Hospital for the weekly HSE operational update on the response to Covid-19. Photograph: Leah Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Children will need to be vaccinated in order to reach herd immunity as a result of the increased transmissibility of the Delta variant, health officials have said.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) is currently examining evidence on vaccination of teenagers and is expected to make recommendations to the Chief Medical Officer shortly.