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7 things we learned from the HSE Covid-19 briefing

Updated / Thursday, 9 Dec 2021 17:54
HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry cautioned that high numbers of unvaccinated people are ending up in ICU
HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry cautioned that high numbers of unvaccinated people are ending up in ICU

From recent data showing the disproportionate number of unvaccinated people being admitted to Intensive Care Units for treatment for Covid-19 to plans for further expansion of the vaccination programme, here are seven things we learned from the latest Health Service Executive briefing on Covid-19.

Unvaccinated people suffering disproportionately

HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said that examining data from the past two weeks, unvaccinated people account for about 13% of total positive cases - but 46% of ICU admissions.

"People who are unvaccinated are much more likely, if they acquire infection - they're much more likely to acquire infection first of all - and once they acquire infection they're much more likely to become seriously ill, whether it's hospitalisation or even admission to ICU," Dr Henry said.

Dr Henry said that there is a big difference in the conversion rate from cases to hospitalisations when you compare unvaccinated people to people who have been vaccinated.

Expect public health measures for some time

HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid said that public health measures are not just about restrictions, but also include things such as wearing face coverings, social distancing, and proper ventilation.

He said that they are working, and that they are likely to be needed for some time.

Asked how long they might be needed, he said "The reality of it is we cannot predict what may happen in the next six weeks right now. We have uncertainty around Omicron, we have uncertainty even around the Delta variant ... we can't predict too far beyond that. And they're matters really for where this pandemic goes over the coming next year or so."

Mr Reid added: "There'll be greater experts than us in the HSE to maybe predict on that."

HSE considering advice on boosters for J&J recipients

Asked about people who had received the single-shot Janssen vaccine (Johnson and Johnson) who are worried about the waning efficacy and whether they could be moved up the vaccine booster priority list, Dr Henry acknowledged that advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Council notes that people in this cohort should be offered an mRNA booster after three months.

He said that the HSE is working on reflecting NIAC advice as it continues the booster rollout.

Communication highlighted ahead of vaccination programme for children

Describing how the HSE is preparing the logistics of expanding the Covid-19 vaccination rollout to children aged 5-11, in line with NIAC advice, Damien McCallion said that officials will be particularly conscious of the need to have clear public health information available to the parents of young children.

He highlighted the success of such information campaigns in the broader vaccination programme to date.

Dr Henry noted that experts have been working on preparations on how to roll the vaccine out to children and prioritising how it should be distributed in anticipation of its approval.

Proportion of severe cases falling

Dr Henry noted that the rate of cases of Covid-19 escalating to hospitalisations and deaths in earlier surges is no longer being seen; thanks to the rollout of vaccines.

He said that case numbers now 'dwarf' the number of people needing hospital and ICU treatment.

People advised not to wait for vaccine targetting Omicron

Mr Reid urged eligible people to come forward for a booster vaccine as soon as it is available to them, cautioning against anyone putting off their booster in anticipation of a vaccine specifically targeting the Omicron variant of Covid-19 becoming available.

Over one million boosters and third doses

Mr Reid noted that notwithstanding some issues with relatively high levels of non-attendance for booster appointments and people being given multiple appointments, the booster rollout is proceeding at speed, with over a million people having received a booster, or in the case of some immunocompromised people, a third dose.

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