“Hopefully the first half of 2021” – Micheál Martin on roll out of vaccine in Ireland

The Taoiseach offered an update during an interview with RTE.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the developers of a Covid-19 vaccine, Pfizer and BioNTech, have released a preliminary analysis suggesting that the first coronavirus vaccine can prevent more than 90% of people from getting Covid-19. This appeared to be the first major steps towards a vaccine that could be successfully rolled out to the general population. A specific timeline had not yet be mentioned, but during an interview with RTE on Friday afternoon, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: "I think you're looking at hopefully the first half of 2021 that we can start rolling out vaccines, and maybe earlier for more vulnerable groups." When asked specifically by Bryan Dobson about a timeline for those who aren't a member of vulnerable groups, Martin said: "The middle of next year. That would be my guesstimate at this stage." https://twitter.com/rtenews/status/1327245806026493956?s=20 Before then though, the government asked the general public to maintain vigilance during the Level 5 restrictions in order to keep cases down, and they are considering asking the public to limit close contacts over Christmas to just their own family. READ NEXT: HSE chief discusses families being able to visit each other on Christmas Day