An increase in Covid-19 cases is likely due to the reopening of schools, despite some children over 12 getting their first vaccine dose, according to an immunologist.
It comes as the Chief Medical Officer looked to reassure parents that school's haven't been a major source of disease transmission so far.
1,706 new cases of Covid-19 were reported yesterday, with 361 patients are now in hospital with the virus.
Professor of experimental immunology at Trinity College, Kingston Mills says we won't see the benefit of children being vaccinated for some weeks.
"About one third of all the cases right now in Ireland are in 18 year olds and under, so it is likely that we will see cases in schools once they reopen.
"Even though a significant number of those older school children would have been vaccinated, they won't have had two doses and they won't have had the 7-14 day period after the second dose that's required for immunity."
