Covid-19: 'we need to get to first vaccine dose uptake of 90%' Prof Ian Young warns
One of Northern Ireland's top covid experts is warning that hospitals could be treating up to 400 patients by the end of the summer.
However, Professor Ian Young said the impact of the virus could be reduced by an increase in vaccine uptake.
The Chief Scientific Adviser told Downtown Radio & Cool FM: "Modelling indicates that if we could get to 90% first dose vaccine uptake by the end of July that could reduce hospital admissions by half when the peak comes.
"That assumes that everyone getting their first dose goes on to get the second dose and a fuller protection it provides.
"It would mean hundreds fewer people in hospital..."
Meanwhile, Chief medical officer Sir Michael McBride said there is no doubt we are now in the "inevitable'' fourth wave of the pandemic.
He said case numbers will increase rapidly as restrictions on movement are eased and the Delta variant is now dominant.
But he said the infection rate can be slowed by following public health advice and getting vaccinated.
Around 80% of the adult population in Northern Ireland, eligible for a Covid-19 vaccination, has received one dose while more than 60% has received two.