LAST UPDATE | 17 Dec 2020

EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT Ursula von der Leyen has announced that Covid-19 vaccinations will begin in EU countries from 27 December. 

Her announcement comes as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is to meet on Monday to conclude its evaluation of the BioNTech/Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. 

The Amsterdam-based agency brought forward it’s meeting by a week following receipt of additional data, and is widely expected to authorise the vaccine.  

“It’s Europe’s moment. On 27, 28 and 29 December vaccination will start across the EU,” von der Leyen tweeted. 

“We protect our citizens together. We are #StrongerTogether.” 

It's Europe's moment.

On 27, 28 and 29 December vaccination will start across the EU.

We protect our citizens together. We are #StrongerTogether#EUvaccinationdays pic.twitter.com/6VxDumysBL

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 17, 2020

Addressing European Parliament yesterday, von der Leyen said that all the bloc’s countries could begin on the same day once the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved.

“To get to the end of the pandemic, we will need up to 70 percent of the population vaccinated. This is a huge task, a big task. So let’s start as soon as possible with the vaccination together, as 27, with a start at the same day,” von der Leyen told MEPs.

“Finally, within a week, the first vaccine will be authorised so that vaccinations can start immediately, and more will follow in the new year,” she said. 

If the EMA rules in favour of the Pfizer vaccine Brussels must first consult with member states before the rollout can begin. 

Pfizer-BioNTech’s jab has already been approved in several western countries, with Britain and the US administering the first inoculations in recent days.

With the EMA meeting brought forward, “this means that this vaccine will be the Christmas gift for all Europeans if everything goes well,” said the European commissioner in charge of internal security, Margaritis Schinas.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that he would hope the vaccine could start being administered to priority groups in Ireland “the following week” after it is approved. 

Sources state Ireland will work alongside EU members on the vaccine and the roll out dates as listed when vaccines are delivered across Europe.

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The chief executive of the HSE Paul Reid said his teams have been “working relentlessly” to prepare for the rollout of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and that they would continue to do so over Christmas.

“The timing and the volume of the delivery is still not completely nailed down,” he said.

“We’re under intense and regular discussions with Pfizer/BioNTech in terms of that delivery.”

He said the first delivery of the vaccine will contain almost 4,750 doses, but he said “ideally” they would like more than that, and that was what was under negotiation.

- Additional reporting from Christina Finn and PA