The HSE will miss its Covid-19 vaccine target for the second week in a row.
The shortfall is being blamed on issues with the supply of AstraZeneca doses.
COVID-19 vaccinations are already bringing hope to our communities. If you're aged 80 or older, you'll be offered a free #CovidVaccine next. You don’t need to register in advance. When your vaccine is available, your GP will let you know. Visit: https://t.co/hVUdrTRpEb #HoldFirm pic.twitter.com/msYTzMecyr
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The company was supposed to deliver 64,000 doses of its Covid-19 vaccine last week - but the amount we actually got fell short.
It's why the HSE says its target of giving out 100,000 Covid vaccines last week wasn't met.
The supply issues will also mean around 88 thousand doses are administered this week - instead of the original target of 92 thousand.
HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid says they've had to deal with a "high level of unpredictability".
"That's the way it is; we're mobilising, we're changing our plans every week because of it."
The HSE boss said he expects quarter two to bring more stability.
It's also been confirmed 10,000 people over 16 with underlying conditions will be given their vaccine next week.
Chief Clinical Officer Colm Henry says efforts are underway to schedule appointments for people in that cohort.
"We've written tot the hospitals yesterday and have given them a very tight dead line."
"We've to try and find as many of these patients as possible so we can begin scheduling."
The HSE has also accepted issues with the delivery of doses to GPs across the country this week.
It says those problems are being worked on - with around 700 over 85s who've yet to receive their vaccine exepcted to get it next week
