
The number of healthcare staff out of work due to covid-related illnesses has doubled in the last 10 days.
Booster jabs for healthcare workers will be considered today when the National Immunisation Advisory Committee meets.
It comes as 3,500 health staff are out of work due to covid related illnesses, a figure that has almost doubled in the past 10 days.
The HSE says the issue's putting pressure on the health service.
508 covid patients are also in hospital and 93 are in ICUs.
50 people with covid in midlands hospitals, eight of whom are in intensive care.
DCU Professor of Health Systems, Anthony Staines, says booster shots for health workers are needed:
Booster jabs will be offered to over 60s from this week.
Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College, Mullingar's Kingston Mills, says NIAC are taking too long to make decisions:
We are conducting planned, essential updates to our vaccination & computing software today. Our #COVIDVaccine centres are closed, and you will not be able to register for your vaccine as we carry out these updates. Services will resume fully tomorrow. Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/L58z6eCgSO
— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) November 1, 2021