The rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme across Ireland’s nursing homes is almost complete with the scheme now expanded to included congregated settings where people over the age of 70 live, the HSE has said. All told around 40,000 second doses of the vaccine will be administered next week along with a small number of outstanding first doses. Speaking on RTE this afternoon the HSE’s chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said the vaccination roll out in nursing homes was “almost complete” and had been expended to include congregated settings where people over the age of 70 live following recent deaths in religious orders. The Moderna vaccine had been used for the initial vaccination roll out to GPs and practice nurses, but the AstraZeneca vaccine would not be used for the remaining members of this group, he said. The Government will shortly consider legislation that will require such passengers arriving here to complete this quarantine at a designated facility.”

Source: The Irish Times February 12, 2021 15:22 UTC