A Clare GP is warning the Omicron variant will rip through the community, if there isn’t high levels of booster uptake.
Health officials are meeting today to consider further restrictions amid concern over the rate at which the new variant is spreading in this country.
Nine days out from Christmas Day and it’s still unclear what the rules on social gatherings will be.
It’s expected that NPHET will make recommendations today on cutting back social mixing, restricting movements for close contacts and large gatherings, but Ministers think lockdown measures aren’t on the cards.
Despite Omicron appearing to be less severe than Delta, experts say it’s more infectious and could be the dominant strain here by next week.
At the moment, there are 443 Covid-positive patients in Irish hospitals, the lowest total in two months and 29 of those are being treated in University Hospital Limerick.
Speaking in Brussels Taoiseach Micheál Martin said all EU leaders are concerned about the variant, but wouldn’t be drawn on what new restrictions he expects:
A Clare GP is warning that we’re heading for a big wave in January, unless we accelerate our booster campaign.
Vaccine centre opening times have been extended from 8am to 8pm and the 15 minute wait time has been waived to help GPs and pharmacists give more boosters a day.
Shannon GP Dr Yvonne Williams is confident that we can prevent a massive surge in cases after Christmas, but she says it will take buy in from the public.
Up to 1,000 pharmacies across the country will be involved in the booster programme in the coming weeks, with nearly 700 already signed up.
Yesterday morning the HSE said they could give jabs to all over-16s, but this was an error.
Only those over 50, those with an underlying health condition, health care workers or those who are pregnant will be able to get a jab at their pharmacy.
Emma Malone of Malone’s Pharmacy in Kilrush says it’s important to ensure the most vulnerable can get their jab first.
