Three out of four patients in hospital with Covid-19 are over 65 years old

DUBLIN: Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said that three out of four patients in Irish hospitals with Covid-19 now are over 65 years of age. The minister also said on Twitter that only half of the people have received the second booster dose.

Mr Donnelly said that vaccines are the greatest protection against severe disease and hospitalization. He added that prevention through a second booster dose is essential to reduce the waiting list and ease the pressure on emergency departments.

He said that 55% of people aged 85 years and older have received a second booster. A second booster was given to 60% over 75 and 50% over 65.

European health agencies have recommended that people aged between 60 and 79 with serious health problems should consider a second booster. But in Ireland, second booster doses are given to people over 65 and those with weakened immune systems.