Vaccine portal for 12-15-year-olds opens tonight ahead of schedule
Dr Ronan Glynn said there has been increased commentary in recent weeks about the number of infections in those who have been fully vaccinated. Picture: Paddy Cummins /Collins Dublin
The HSE's online vaccine portal registration for parents of 12-15 year olds has opened tonight ahead of schedule.
Registration for this age cohort had previously been scheduled for tomorrow but is now available, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnely has said.
Vaccination slots have been made available for 12-15 year olds this weekend along with evening clinics and appointments through a limited number of GPs and pharmacies, the director of the HSE’s vaccination campaign, Damien McCallion has said.
He said these arrangements have been made to facilitate parents who would have to accompany children.
It comes as Dr Ronan Glynn, the deputy chief medical officer has moved to reassure the public about the effectiveness of the Covid vaccine.
The number of older people who have contracted Covid-19 is “much less” in this wave than previously seen as a result of the vaccination programme, he said.
Dr Ronan Glynn's comments come as the Department of Health has been notified of 1,819 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
It brings the total number of cases of the virus in Ireland since the outbreak began to 315,385. In addition, there are 206 patients in hospital receiving treatment for the coronavirus this evening. Of those, 36 of the patients are in intensive care in hospital.
The Department has said that daily case amounts are subject to future revision due to later validation of cases. No detail of Covid-related deaths was published by health officials.
Dr Ronan Glynn said there has been increased commentary in recent weeks about the number of infections in those who have been fully vaccinated.
However, he said it was important that these figures are placed in the context of the proportion of the whole population who have been vaccinated.
“While the proportion of cases in vaccinated people will increase, we can be very confident that the absolute number of cases in vaccinated people will decrease over time. We have already seen this in older age groups,” he said.
“For example, while 67% of cases in those who are 65 years and older in the last fortnight have been in people who reported having received two vaccines, the absolute number of cases in this age group (764) is much less than in previous ‘waves’.”
He added: “A similar disease profile last February, for example, resulted in 3,379 cases over a two-week period in the same age group.”
Dr Glynn compared the effectiveness of vaccines to road safety measures such as seat belts.
"It simply reflects the fact that the vast majority of people wear safety belts when driving and, unfortunately, some will be involved in accidents,” he said.
“However, for each individual, the risk of a severe injury or dying in that accident is much lower if they are wearing a safety belt.”
Dr Glynn said the uptake of vaccination has been “remarkably high” in Ireland, and as a result the proportion of cases in vaccinated people will increase.
“For example, if all of the population were to get vaccinated then, clearly, 100% of Covid-19 cases would be in those who had been vaccinated. This does not mean that vaccines are not working,” he said.
“When we see cases in vaccinated people, we need to remember what we are not seeing.
"What we don’t see is the very many more infections, hospitalisations and deaths that have been prevented by vaccination.”
Dr Ronan Glynn, deputy chief medical officer, said continued adherence to public health guidelines and vaccine uptake is the best method to contain the spread of the virus.
He said that from tomorrow, parents of children aged 12-15, will be able to register their online for a vaccine appointment.
"Vaccination, combined with basic public health measures, is the most effective way to protect the community against Covid-19.
"From tomorrow, registration for the Covid-19 vaccine programme opens for young people aged between 12 and 15 years of age.
"With over 6 million vaccine doses administered to date, each week we reach another important milestone in our journey out of this pandemic," said Dr Glynn.
The deputy chief medical officer moved to allay recent concerns about pregnant women registering the vaccine and urged them to consult their GP, obstetrician or midwife for assistance.
“If you are pregnant and you have concerns about taking the vaccine, speak to your GP, obstetrician or midwife for guidance and for bespoke health advice for your pregnancy.
"Use trusted sources of information such as the HSE or Department of Health for the latest vaccine information,” he said.
Dr Glynn's vaccination advice comes as two-thirds of the total population are now fully vaccinated from the virus.
According to the latest figures, 6.2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered to August 10, with just under 90% of adults and 88% of people over the age of 16 having received at least one dose.
Chair of the vaccine taskforce, Professor Brian MacCraith, shared the latest available data which shows that
78% of adults and 76% of people over 16 are now fully vaccinated.
Prof MacCraith hailed the "amazing response" of Irish people while sharing statistics from Our World in Data which shows Ireland's vaccination rollout ahead of countries such as France, Italy, Germany and the US.
He added that it is concerning to see the vaccination status of countries such as Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Tanzania where less than 2% of the population has receive a vaccine dose.
The World Health Organisation has appealed to wealthier countries not to begin offering booster jabs until more of the global population has been vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the HSE has launched an online option for Covid positive people to list their close contacts.
National Lead for Testing and Tracing, Niamh O'Beirne, says anyone who gets a positive result will receive the link in a text.
The patient can then compile a list of people they have been in contact with, in order for tracing to begin.
Some pharmacies will operate evening vaccine clinics to help the roll-out to children aged between 12 and 15.
Registration on the HSE portal will open tomorrow for the age group with first jabs to be given out as soon as this weekend.
Parents' permission is required for children to get a vaccine so it is hoped the evening clinics will ease the burden on work pressures.
It is up to each pharmacy to decide how they will run their clinics with some having already run them in the evenings.
"Up until now, there have been pharmacies running vaccination clinics in the evenings, separate from the rest of the business of the pharmacy because that is what suited the community and that is what suited the pharmacy," said Darragh O'Loughlin from the Irish Pharmacy Union.
"I think that will continue particularly because parents need to be there and a lot of parents are working during the day."
The Citywest vaccination centre in Dublin will open for first-dose walk-in vaccines on Thursday with a late night clinic.
It will open tomorrow evening from 6pm until 10pm and anyone over 16 can attend.
The Health Minister has said offering vaccines at different times to better suit certain people is a "great initiative".
The Irish Medical Organisation is calling for the Government to radically invest in the health system and says doctors are looking ahead to winter with a sense of despair.
This morning, there are 206 Covid patients in hospital, up 10% since last Wednesday. There are 33 people being treated for the virus in intensive care units.
The group representing doctors is calling for the HSE bring in 5,000 more hospital beds, and recruit 2,000 more doctors.
Public Health doctor and President of the IMO, Dr Ina Kelly, said stricter lockdowns were required in Ireland because of the limited capacity for hospitalisations and intensive care admissions.
"That is something which has probably impacted on the whole society in a way because the health service was so under stress coming into the Covid-19 pandemic."
Dr Kelly said she hopes the "magnificent rollout" will help to keep numbers down even though the country is opening back up.
She praised the public who have been very willing to work with the health services to make it a success.
"We are in a fourth wave but we hope it is a low peak and that is what we are all hoping for."
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) issued a strong warning that services could become overwhelmed if overcrowding continues to worsen and is coupled with increasing Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations.
According to their latest figures, there are 369 patients waiting for beds this morning - 298 in the emergency department and 71 in other wards.
The worst-hit hospitals included University Hospital Limerick (43), University Hospital Galway (32) and Cork University Hospital (31).
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