Almost one in three adults have now received a Covid-19 jab with the HSE boss stating that Ireland is at its most hopeful point since the pandemic first began.
The HSE said it will begin to vaccinate pregnant women and people in their 50s from next week.
CEO Paul Reid praised the public for their efforts and championed the roll out of the vaccine programme as ICU and hospitalisation numbers keep dropping, with fewer people getting sick.
He noted there is a great lift in the spirit of the nation.
He said: In the HSE, weve been either preparing for or dealing with Covid since January 2020 and Im not sure if theres ever been a time since then where weve been at such a hopeful point as we are at now. People can look forward with much greater hope and confidence…we certainly do in the HSE.
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The public can congratulate themselves individually and collectively, its brought us to a really good place.
Mr Reid said as of Wednesday evening, 1.7 million vaccine doses had been administered.
Around 1.23 million people received a first jab, nearly 33% of the adult population, according to the HSE.
While 466,000, slightly over 12% of the population, have been fully vaccinated.
He added: Now, almost one in three of the adult population have received a vaccine.
The CEO boss said while it is a great moment, people should remain cautious.
07/04/2021 (L TO R) An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin TD and CEO of the HSE, Paul Reid speaking to media following a visit to the Citywest Vaccination Centre in Saggart, Co.Dublin (Image: Gareth Chaney/Collins)
He warned that there has been outbreaks among young people who are mingling outside of school settings.
In a message to Leaving Cert pupils, Mr Reid urged them to avoid parties as they are putting themselves at risk.
Meanwhile, one of the countrys top immunologists, Professor Luke ONeill, said two new studies show that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are effective against Covid variants including the South African strain.Speaking to Newstalk, the Trinity professor said the last time he felt this positive was when Pfizer announced they had a jab to battle Covid-19.
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He explained that a new research paper which examined 386,000 people who had received the Pfizer vaccine has shown it protects against variants and particularly the South African strain.
He said that was our last remaining scientific concern.
And the Health Minister has urged caution as he warned the Covid rate is on the rise again.
Stephen Donnelly told the Dail that much remains uncertain as the rate is now higher than it was a fortnight ago, at 134 per 100,000 nationally, up from 118 two weeks ago.
On a more positive note, Mr Donnelly updated the Dail on the expected delivery of 75,000 doses of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Monday.
