Coronavirus vaccinations will start across the EU on December 27th, 28th and 29th according to the President of the EU Commission President.
Ursula von der Leyen's tweeted that 'we protect our citizens together, we are stronger together'.
The Europeans Medicines agency is due to meet next week to approve the use of the Pfizer vaccine.
Meanwhile the Tánaiste has confirmed the European Medicines Agency will meet on Monday to approve the Pfizer vaccine.
The first vaccinations in the Republic of Ireland will happen roughly a week after that.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar confirmed the news in the Dáil this afternoon:
"The first people in EU countries to receive the vaccine will be on the 27th 28th and 29th of December."
"I can't say exactly which date will be the case in Ireland."
"But we do expect that the first people in Ireland will be vaccinated before the new year."
"I can't give you the exact date."
"They will be given evidence that they've had the vaccine, but I can't telll you exactly what format at the moment."
It's Europe's moment.
On 27, 28 and 29 December vaccination will start across the EU.
We protect our citizens together. We are #StrongerTogether#EUvaccinationdays pic.twitter.com/6VxDumysBL— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 17, 2020
NPHET Raise Concerns About Rise In Transmission
The National Public Health Emergency Team has raised strong concerns about the spread of Covid-19 - with just over a week until Christmas.
Its meeting today will consider some of the latest trends, such as a rise in the 14 day incidence rate and the 5 day average increasing to 339 cases.
From tomorrow, inter-county travel restrictions are due to be eased and up to three households can meet indoors.
Dublin-based GP Ray Walley has seen a recent increase in older patients with Covid symptoms - and says people need to keep following the guidelines:
"We do know how they're getting it because I gather that 60 percent of these are through household contacts."
"So unfortunately how our nearest and dearest are getting it is from our nearest and dearest."
"These aren't massive clusters we're talking about, it's individuals giving it to individuals."
"So we really need to emphasise the basics and when we're visiting someone that's close to us, we need to be keeping our distance and wearing a mask, and things like that."
NEW: Tánaiste Leo Varadkar says it's now expected the EMA will approve the Pfizer vaccine on Monday and the first EU (and likely Irish) vaccinations will happen between the 27th-29th of December. People will be given proof of vaccination but he's not sure what that will look like
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) December 17, 2020
