Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has warned those who remain unvaccinated that “it’s on them” if they choose to put themselves at risk amid the reopening.
While cases remain relatively high, he told Gavan Reilly of Newstalk that those who choose not to get themselves a dose are knowingly putting themselves at a higher risk but that it is their choice.
Health officials today confirmed 4,731 PCR confirmed cases of Covid-19, while 3,395 people reported a positive antigen result on Saturday, January 22, via the HSE portal.
As of 8:00 am today, 845 Covide-19 patients are being treated in hospitals - of whom 79 are in ICU.
Mr. Donnelly said 60% of those in hospital and 60% of the ICU admissions are unvaccinated.
“I think it is on them," he said.
"If they choose not to get vaccinated they are knowingly putting themselves at significantly higher risk but ultimately that is a choice for them.
"I would love people to continue to go and get vaccinated, there are people who are victims of misinformation, very sophisticated campaigns online, they have been misled and lied to and their own health and the health of those around them is put at risk because of that so I would just say to anyone listening at home, is stick with the science, trust the science, listen to the experts and if you are in that 5% - go and get vaccinated, it is absolutely the right thing to do."
Speaking about the eventual easing of restrictions across education and childcare settings, he said "Our hope is that it is just for a few weeks.
“The school-age population is still one group where the level of vaccination is still significantly lower than for the adult population.
"The advice I received is that it is appropriate for a short period of time to keep those measures in place, to give people time if they want discussions between themselves and their children, for their children to get vaccinated."
Although pre-pandemic life will resume over the coming weeks, it looks as if NPHET will remain in place for the time being.
Mr. Donnelly said: “We need to continue to get advice, for now, we are not wrapping anything up immediately."
