Covid vaccine uptake drops sharply as fewer younger adults boosted in past year

High uptake rates of Covid-19 booster vaccines have fallen off dramatically, with just 28 per cent of people aged 20 to 59 who had been vaccinated receiving their most recent dose in the last 12 months, according to data released by the Central Statistics Office on Monday.

The drop in uptake conforms with expectations as some booster vaccines are only offered to older or more vulnerable people, reducing the number of younger adults in line to receive a dose.

Nearly all employees in the State, some 96 per cent, have received a Covid-19 booster vaccine at some stage, according to the data.

Of the 96 per cent who opted for a booster, 72 per cent received a first booster only, with just 24 per cent going on to receive further boosters, the HSE said.

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While most people had been given two initial doses of the vaccine, some received a single dose of the Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) vaccine. This is what the HSE called the “first round” or “primary course” of Covid 19 vaccination.

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The HSE then offered booster vaccines, with the first booster being made available to those aged 12 and older, as well as five- to 11-year-olds with weak immune systems.

The HSE then offered a second booster, provided it was six months since a person’s last dose or last infection of Covid-19.

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Third boosters are now available to those aged 65 years or older, those aged 12 or older with weak immune systems, and those aged 12 to 64 with conditions that put them at high risk of serious illness.

The figures from the CSO released on Monday also show a falling-off in the vaccination rate among over-70s. According to the CSO, about 15 per cent of people aged 70-79 years who had a Covid-19 vaccine had their most recent dose in the last three months.

The figures also showed a diverse rate of uptake in Covid-19 vaccines across the State, with the primary course completion rate for five- to 11-year-olds ranging from 4 per cent in Buncrana, Donegal, to 56 per cent in Stillorgan, Co Dublin.

Booster Two rates ranged from a low of 11 per cent in Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart to a high of 40 per cent in Rathfarnham-Templeogue.

Booster Three rates ranged from a low of 2 per cent in Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart to a high of 16 per cent in Rathfarnham-Templeogue.

In the accommodation and food services sector, just 52 per cent of employees had received a booster by February 28th, 2023. Some 44 per cent had received Booster One, and 8 per cent had further boosters.

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CSO statistician Steven Conroy said eight in 10 people aged 20-29 years who had a Covid-19 vaccine had not received a further dose in the last 12 months.

Mr Conroy said that by February 28th last, a primary course of vaccinations had been completed by 84 per cent of all employees, while 59 per cent had received Booster One and 20 per cent had received further boosters. Nearly all employees in the education sector (97 per cent) had received a booster, with 67 per cent having received Booster One and 29 per cent having received further boosters.

An analysis by nationality showed less than half (47 per cent) of employees from the 13 countries who joined the EU since 2004 (EU15-27) had completed their primary course of vaccines, compared with 96 per cent of Irish employees.