Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Bruton for his questions. I share his view that as the vaccines take effect, the risk profile is fundamentally changing. As the risk profile changes, our analysis and evaluation of what is possible must change too. In fact, I am in the middle of a very detailed conversation with the modelling group, led by Professor Nolan, on exactly this issue. We know, for example, that 88% of Covid fatalities in Ireland to date have been among those aged 70 and over, rising to 93% for those aged 65 and over. There are different rates in terms of hospitalisation and serious illness but it is essential that changes to the risk profile because of the incredible impact of the vaccination are factored in. In other words, Ireland will be able to deal with a higher level of cases in a much safer way when we have vaccinated and highly protected the most vulnerable groups.

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