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15th Dec 2020

Doctor Tony Holohan says we won’t see positive impact of vaccine for “months”

Rudi Kinsella

Holohan said that we still have to do all that we can to save lives now.

Doctor Tony Holohan has said that Ireland won’t see the positive impact of a Covid vaccine for “months”.

The Chief Medical Officer said that news about the vaccine is hopeful and the health service is actively planning to vaccinate people in early 2021.

However, he did say that it will be months until we begin to see the positive effects of the vaccine, and that it remains important that we do all we can to save lives across the country.

He also said that transparency and trust will be a “cornerstone” of the country’s approach to the rollout of the vaccine, praising Ireland’s reaction to the virus thus far.

Also speaking at the press briefing, Director-General of the HSE Paul Reid said that vaccine centres could include CityWest or the National Show Centre in Cloghran.

Speaking on the potential side effects, Philip Nolan said “mild” issues can be expected, including mild fever and headaches, though they can be dealt with.

He said: “The risks of the disease itself FAR outweigh the risks of vaccination.”

Meanwhile, Stephen Donnelly said that Ireland’s vaccine programme may begin before the end of the year.

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