Nearly three-quarters of COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU since April were unvaccinated, latest data shows.
New HPSC data shows just 17% of the patients with the virus admitted to intensive care between April 1st and September 11th were fully vaccinated.
72% had not been vaccinated, while the remaining 11% had received at least one dose of a vaccine but were not yet fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, just under a quarter of COVID-related deaths here since April were among fully vaccinated people.
In total, 251 people died due to COVID-19 in the five-month period - 149 (around 60%) were unvaccinated, while 61 (24.3%) were fully vaccinated.
However, the HSE's Damien McCallion says underlying conditions are also often involved in serious cases of the virus.
He explained: "In terms of deaths that have occurred, there are often other factors that are involved in that or in terms of ICU admissions.
“There are [also] significant numbers of unvaccinated people now in hospitals and ICUs.
“Overall what we've seen is the vaccination programme does provide a high level of protection for people."
It comes as the number of COVID-19 patients in Irish hospitals continues to fall.
HSE CEO Paul Reid says there are now 261 patients being treated for the virus in hopsitals, down from 310 a week ago.
He said ICU numbers have risen, however, with a "hugely disproportionate" number of unvaccinated patients.
Thankfully the hospitalised #COVID19 patients are now down to 261 & falling. ICU cases are rising at 71, with a hugely disproportionate number of unvaccinated patients. It's never too late to be vaccinated & our committment stands,to never leave anyone behind. It works. @HSELive
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) September 18, 2021
Latest figures show around 93% of adults have received at least one dose of a vaccine, with vaccination rates continuing to grow in the 16-29 age group.
Daily and weekly COVID-19 figures have been gradually dropping in recent weeks, with 1,392 new cases reported yesterday.
