Ireland will buy 700,000 doses of Pfizer/BioNtech Covid-19 vaccines form Romania, confirmed the Taoiseach Michael Martin. The discussion began last month regarding buying excess doses of vaccine from Romania which was then agreed last day.
“I want to thank Romania and the EU for their assistance and show of solidarity to Ireland as we further protect our citizens in this pandemic.” Said Martin. He also expressed hope that the move would boost vaccine roll-out in Ireland.
Meanwhile the doses will reach Ireland in August itself stated the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly in a tweet. “Great news that we have secured an additional 700,000 vaccines from the EU through Romania. These will be delivered throughout August and will allow us to continue to ramp up the rollout of the vaccination programme. Well done to @roinnslainte officials on finalising the deal.” The Minister went on to say on twitter.
After the first round of talks, Martin and the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis agreed in principle to exchange doses up to one million later confirmed as 700,000.
As of now 3.1 million people in Ireland got at least one dose of Covid vaccine. 2.5 million had both doses and 217,000 availed single shot Janssen vaccine.
Yesterday the Department of Health confirmed further 1,015 Covid positive cases in the country with the number of patients stands 177 under treatment in hospitals. Also, the HSE confirmed more than 30,000 people got vaccinated through walk-in centres set up in the weekend all over Ireland.