Just one fully vaccinated person has suffered a so-called “breakthrough” COVID-19 infection that put them in ICU in recent months, the Health Minister says.
Stephen Donnelly says 124 people with COVID-19 needed treatment in intensive care since April.
However, just one of those people was fully vaccinated - something the Minister says highlights the importance of the second dose.
While all COVID-19 vaccines have proven highly effective at preventing severe illness, there will be a small percentage of vaccinated people who still get sick - referred to as 'breakthrough' cases.
Speaking to Newstalk, Minister Donnelly explained: “We’ve looked at the number of people going into intensive care in April, May and June.
“The vast majority of those didn’t have any vaccine protection. But most encouragingly, only one of the cases was a so-called breakthrough infection - somebody who was fully vaccinated, 14 days after their second dose.
“What that is saying is that everyone who can should go and get a vaccine. Anyone who has had their first vaccine… it’s really important to go and get a second dose.”
Registration for an mRNA vaccine is open to everybody over 30 from today, while those aged 18-34 can also register with pharmacies to get the one-dose Janssen jab.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 case numbers have been rising in recent weeks, amid growing proportions of cases being attributed to the more transmissible Delta variant.
Minister Donnelly said ‘very serious spikes’ incidence rates are being seen in parts of Donegal (Buncrana and Carndonagh) and Waterford (Dungarvan).
Parts of Dublin - such as Blanchardstown - and Limerick’s north city are also seeing increasing number of cases.
