Waterford leads vaccine uptake rate followed by Carlow and Wexford – Burke

The people of Ireland should be praised for their efforts in acting for the collective good as official figures show Ireland has the highest Covid vaccination uptake rate in the EU, Fine Gael TD Colm Burke has said.

Deputy Burke obtained figures from the HSE which also show up to the end of October, the counties with the highest rate of fully vaccinated people over the age of 12 are Waterford (96.8%), followed by Carlow (96.7) and Wexford (95.2%).

Deputy Burke, Fine Gael’s Dáil’s Health spokesperson, said: “The people of Ireland have made enormous sacrifices since the pandemic began as we have changed how we live by reducing our social contacts, in addition to businesses and workers whose livelihoods have been impacted by Covid restrictions.

“Information released to me by the HSE reveal that as of November 8^th, the overall uptake rate amongst the total eligible population (12+) for their first vaccine dose is 92.1%, while the rate for those fully is 90.5%.

“This means Ireland has the highest uptake rate in the EU and is currently 1st in the EU for those fully vaccinated.

“That figure could also be higher as the health service said it’s aware that in border counties, there will be people resident in the South who have been vaccinated in the North.

“The HSE says it has recently started producing vaccination rates by county which are provided through the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

“The figures provided to me reveal that as of October 31^st, Waterford has the highest uptake rate of fully vaccinated people over the age of 12, (96.8%), followed by Carlow (96.7%), and Wexford (95.2%). Around 93.7% of eligible people in Cork are fully vaccinated, while all other counties remain in the 80 to 90 percentile category.

“The numbers are higher for adults over 18 who have been fully vaccinated as the programme for children aged 12 to 15 began in September. In the South East, Waterford had the highest rate of vaccinated adults (99.7%) followed by Carlow (98.9%).

“I would encourage people to come forward if they have not completed their full course of Covid vaccine.

“We are currently seeing high cases of Covid and hospital admissions and all efforts are being made to ensure we can weather this current wave of infection.  To date over 500,000 people have received booster or third dose shots and we are asked to take individual actions to protect ourselves and others from getting Covid.

“Over the weekend, our Chief Medical Officer said our high-level of vaccination uptake is having a positive effect, especially in preventing severe illness, hospitalisation, and deaths, and the booster vaccines will offer people further protection.

“I would also encourage people who have not yet been vaccinated to do so while we all continue to adhere to public health advice,” Deputy Burke concluded.

Vaccination uptake figures. Source: HSE