Good jab! Kilkenny vaccine centre helps drive to administer one million doses

This week will see the one millionth Covid-19 vaccine dose administered in Ireland, with the vaccine centre in Kilkenny playing a key role in achieving the landmark figure.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly today confirmed more than 30,000 doses a day being administered.

The minister also confirmed that a fourth vaccine – the Jansen jab – will be available soon, which will help the government reach their target of 3.9 million doses administered by the end of June.

He said in a statement: “As of Saturday, April 3, over 17% of Ireland’s adult population (aged 16+) have now had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. That’s one in six adults. 7% of our most vulnerable people are now fully protected with the first and second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

“The numbers of Covid-19 infections in long term residential care, among healthcare workers and in those aged over 85 has fallen dramatically since the vaccination programme began.

“Recent figures show that cases among people aged 85 and older now represent fewer than 1% of all cases, down from almost 6% at the end of January.”

Minister Donnelly added: “This week we will reach a milestone of administering 1 million vaccine doses and we have much cause for hope for the further reopening of our society in the coming weeks and months.

“We have agreements in place to purchase 18.5 million vaccines. We now have three very safe and effective vaccines currently being administered in Ireland and a fourth one coming on stream in the very near future.

“We begin the next 100 days with a positive outlook and an upward trend in vaccines administered. On Friday 1st April, over 30,500 vaccine doses were provided. More than 11,000 vaccinators have now been trained while recruitment for vaccinators for 38 vaccination centres is ongoing,” Minister Donnelly concluded.