Falling cases of Covid-19 among the elderly population who have had their third vaccine dose is a “cause for hope”, a HSE briefing has heard.
Chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said there has also been a “sharp drop” in hospital admissions among the older age groups who have received the booster jab.
Ireland is among the top five countries in the EU in terms of the booster rollout, with over 880,000 doses administered, the briefing heard on Thursday.
Dr Henry said: “What we’re seeing is a trend now which is certainly cause for hope, which replicates what we saw in Israel, which of course is the country at the front in terms of administration of the booster vaccines.
“We’re seeing falling cases in those older age groups.
“They dropped 14 per cent in the 85 plus, almost 20 per cent in 75 to 84s, and 8 per cent in 65 to 74s.
“So a dropping number of cases in those over 65, and as you go upwards in age, an even greater drop in cases.”
Dr Henry said there had also been a “sharp drop” in hospital admissions among those aged 65 to 74.
“We know from the Israeli studies, the booster vaccine led to a sharp drop in hospitalizations in those who were receiving the booster vaccine, which should give us a great cause for hope” he added.
However, case figures remain high among those under 18.