Vaccinated people may still get infected - that doesn't mean the vaccine isn't working

Risk of a severe illness or death is much lower if you have received a jab, something that is reflected in ICU and mortality data

 Dr Ronan Glynn, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health. "When seeing Covid numbers  we must remember the many more infections that have been prevented by vaccination."

In recent weeks we have seen increased commentary, both nationally and internationally, relating to infections in people who have been fully vaccinated. It is important when analysing these data that they are placed in the context of the proportion of the whole population who have been vaccinated.

Uptake of vaccination has been remarkably high in Ireland and continues to increase. As vaccination rates increase, there will be more vaccinated and fewer unvaccinated people in the population. 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.