Holohan urges those eligible to receive vaccine, says vaccine is ‘our way out of this pandemic’

The chief medical officer encouraged anyone eligible for vaccination to get stung “as soon as they can” after a slight increase in hospitalizations linked to Covid-19.

s 1,314 new cases of Covid were reported yesterday, Dr Tony Holohan said infections in those vaccinated “do not mean vaccines don’t work” and advised those eligible for vaccination to avail themselves of the vaccine , because it is “our way out of this pandemic”.

“While no vaccine is 100% effective in this way, these breakthrough infections that occur are usually much less serious and are associated with less risk of hospitalization,” he said.

There are currently 187 people hospitalized with Covid-19, up nine from the previous day. Thirty of these people are in intensive care. There have been nine deaths from Covid in the past week, the same as the week before.

Some public health experts have called on children under 12 to be vaccinated before they return to school.

A webinar hosted by the Independent Scientific Advisory Group (Isag), which advocates a zero Covid approach, heard concerns about the impact of Covid infections on the unvaccinated and younger population.

Experts have warned that the health service does not have the capacity to provide sufficient care if thousands of people end up suffering from a long Covid. Anthony Staines, professor of public health at DCU, said vaccinations had had a “huge impact” on hospitalizations and deaths, but he was concerned the plan to outperform variants with vaccinations was not working.

“We shouldn’t be investing resources in boosters, but in completing vaccines for everyone,” he said.

“There is a real risk of a Delta explosion in September.”

Dr Tomás Ryan, a neuroscientist at Trinity, said the problem of long Covid in children had been “downplayed”, and called for more transparency on the number of cases in schools.

He also called for children under 12 to be given the opportunity to be vaccinated.

“You have to give them the choice. It is not fair that we are forcing our children to be infected. Lobbying groups demand the opening of restaurants and pubs every day. We hear very little compared to children, parent groups and teachers.

The chairman of the National Immunization Advisory Committee (Niac) said offering vaccines to adolescents will give them a path back to normal life.

Professor Karina Butler said Niac recommended that vaccines be offered to children aged 12 to 15 “to protect children from very mild Covid infections, and very rare Covid complications that can affect even healthy children. “.

She added: “Some children, mainly with underlying conditions, can get seriously ill.”

“In general, the data on children is very reassuring, but these are some of the reasons why we think the vaccine should be available. “