The head of the HSE has urged people to not dismiss the COVID-19 advice from many of Ireland's top medics.
Paul Reid says adults who decide to not get vaccines are putting themselves and others at "much higher risk".
However, he stressed they won't leave anyone behind in the vaccine rollout - saying it's "never too late" to get a vaccine.
You may decide to ignore strong advice today from many of the top medics in the country. But please don't dismiss it. If, as an adult, you decide not to be vaccinated, you do put yourself and others at much higher risk. We won't leave anyone behind & it's never too late.@HSELive
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) August 21, 2021
He was speaking as walk-in vaccine clinics operate across the country this weekend - with some sites offering second dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
Yesterday, Ireland recorded more than 2,000 daily COVID-19 infections for the second time in a week.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said it's vital that as "many people as possible" come forward for vaccination.
He also urged people to follow the current public health advice and to "socialise safely" this weekend.
He said: "[Meet] outdoors where possible. Only meet up with small numbers of people and avoid crowds.
"Remember, it is OK to leave if you do not feel safe."
Meanwhile, 45 cases of the Delta-plus variant of COVID-19 have been identified in Ireland.
The figure was revealed in the latest update from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on variants of concern.
The strain is an offshoot of the highly infectious Delta mutation, which is currently dominant in Ireland and many other countries.
