Minister Stephen Donnelly has signed the regulation allowing the use of the Pfizer BioNtech Covid vaccine here in Ireland.
He says he's 'delighted' to report that the first delivery is due to arrive here tomorrow.
Delighted to report that I’ve just signed the regulation authorising the use of the Pfizer vaccine in Ireland.
First delivery will be St. Stephen’s Day, first vaccinations 30th December.
In what’s been such a tough year for so many, this is really great to see. pic.twitter.com/8cISgeQdXk
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) December 24, 2020
While the first jab will be administered on the 30th of this month, four days later.
This announcement follows the vaccines approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) earlier this week.
The vaccines will be available free of charge and have been authorised for use for those above the age 16.
The jab is given as two injections into the arm, at least 21 days apart.
The vaccines will be rolled out in three phases, the initial phase starting next week.
This will be followed by a mass ramp-up as more vaccines become available, and then open access.
The highest priority groups - those over the age of 65 living in long-term care facilities and frontline healthcare workers in direct patient contact - will receive the vaccine first.
