It’s hoped over one million COVID-19 vaccinations can be carried out a month from May, the head of the HSE has said.
Paul Reid says it will all depend on the delivery of vaccines, but it’s expected bigger volumes will start arriving in the early summer.
He's also said it's 'inexcusable' for some nursing home staff to refuse the vaccine.
Today sees the start of the AstraZeneca vaccine being rolled out here.
The vaccine - the third to be approved for use here - will initially be used to vaccinate frontline healthcare workers, after it was recommended over-70s should receive the Moderna or Pfizer jabs instead.
Mr Reid told Newstalk Breakfast that decision did mean the HSE had to change its rollout plans.
He said: “Nobody in any operations wants shocks or changes to the plans… but it was the right decision. Once a decision is made policy, we go implement.
“These things change over time, and evidence emerges. I’ve always said this phase of the programme will be bumpy - it has proven to be bumpy."
He said we could be seeing one million vaccine doses a month from May onwards - but stressed that the programme so far has seen plenty of uncertainty around commitments from the vaccine suppliers.
He said: “Realistically when we look ahead, the bigger volumes start to arrive from May-June and throughout summer.
“What we always say from the HSE perspective is whatever volume of supply comes to us, we will vaccinate… we will commit to that.
“If those kind of volumes come, we will be covering that level of population. But it goes with a massive qualifier, given the [worldwide] pressure on delivery."
One million doses can vaccinate 500,000 people, as all three vaccines approved so far require a second dose.
Studies on the AstraZeneca vaccine have suggested it's less effective against the South African variant of coronavirus, prompting South Africa to halt its rollout of the vaccine.
However, Mr Reid stressed that strain only has a "very, very small presence in Ireland so far".
Rollout plan
In terms of the rollout plan, Mr Reid said GPs have been 'phenomenal' in their efforts to help the HSE rearrange their plans.
Vaccination of over 70s will begin from Monday February 15th, starting with over-85s.
Mr Reid explained: “We’ll have the vast majority of those vaccinations carried out in GP practices.
“We will have three vaccination centres across the country… they’ll be GP-led practices, and they’ll carry out [vaccination] of remaining people in over 70s cohort.
“We are heading into a very exciting stage of vaccination centres, all across the country. We’ve done great work on these… many are ready now today, and some will be ready over next couple of weeks.
"There’s around 40 centres… some of the bigger ones, 8-10 or them, would have a staffing of around 2,500 in total of various skills and professions. [They're] spread across the country, with a very significant workforce."
He reiterated that the only issue is around supply.
The HSE CEO said the take-up of the vaccine among nursing home residents and staff has been 'extremely good' - almost 100% of residents, and in the 'high 90s' for staff.
However, it has been revealed that a small number of nursing home staff in some homes have refused the vaccine.
Mr Reid said: “I do find it inexcusable that staff in nursing homes or those roles would not take the vaccine, to be frank.
“It is a small number of people… but it is an issue.”
He said risk management and associated legislation does allow for staff to be redeployed to other roles if there's a risk.
