Annual Covid vaccination programme may be needed in future

Micheál Martin said that if the Omicron variant proves to be less severe, it could create "a new horizon" for the future.

The Taoiseach has said that Ireland could be looking at an annual vaccination programme for Covid-19. File picture: PA

The Taoiseach has said that Ireland could be looking at an annual vaccination programme for Covid-19.

Michéal Martin says the vaccine rollout has been a "game-changer" as a record number of 13,765 new cases of Covid-19 were reported yesterday by the Department of Health.

"One could be looking at an annual vaccination programme," Micheál Martin said.

"I know the HSE are looking at a sort of stronger independent capacity that they can switch on and switch off vaccination programmes around this issue. We have antivirals coming on stream that will, hopefully, lead to better treatments. 

"So I think we’re going to get better at dealing with it. That’s how I see us coping with Covid into the future whilst allowing our full economy back."

Mr Martin added that if the Omicron variant proves to be less severe, it could create "a new horizon" for the future.

Queues of people form outside a walk-in vaccination centre in Greystones, Co Dublin. File picture: PA

"The key issue would be severity, in terms of if it’s much more infectious but less impactful," he said.

"That could create a new horizon – a new scenario - for the future.

"My sense is that, if you look back over the last 12 months, vaccination has really been the big game-changer.

"Do we really think we’d be open today in terms of retail, construction and everything else if we had 4,500 cases or 5,000 cases and no vaccination?

"I know already Europe is already preparing a potential new dose or new vaccine for variants. That work is underway with the companies."

Mr Martin said the economy has come "roaring back" since we re-opening in March, however, he remains cautious.

"We have to be careful of that too because a lot of that energy was captured or suppressed by the Covid restrictions," he said.

"There’s also a level of stimulus in terms of the European-wide stimulus programme and a lot of inflation has come through that but, nonetheless, the manufacturing side of our economy has been very strong and there’ll be a lot of domestic demand for quite a while.

"Certainly, I’d be more hopeful than not that we’d be getting better at this. I just don’t have the data to be definitive about the surge.”

Meanwhile, people over the age of 30 can now book an appointment for a booster vaccine. They will be eligible to get the additional jab from December 29 and can book an appointment on the HSE website. 

At present, the only people who can book a booster appointment via the HSE are those over the age of 40 and people over the age of 30 who are either healthcare workers, pregnant or have an underlying health condition. 

Boosters will also be available at walk-in clinics, pharmacies and via your GP.