As the impact of the vaccine rollout continues to show promise, Chambers Ireland has called on Irish businesses to be flexible in facilitating employees to receive their vaccine.
Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot said: "As the National Vaccination Programme moves to vaccinate people in their 40s and younger, businesses in Ireland can show continued leadership by communicating their encouragement to staff and supporting them to receive their vaccine at the earliest opportunity.
"Employers have demonstrated excellent commitment in their support of public health measures and have an important role to play in the months ahead. Vaccination is our only viable route out of the pandemic and we must act decisively to ensure it continues at pace.
"By clearly communicating to staff that you support their vaccination and will be flexible in allowing them to take time off during working hours, you can reduce hesitancy and help society and the economy return to normal faster.
"A safe return to the workplace and stable economic growth will only happen when there is a high level of protection among the population."
Chambers Ireland is also calling for national support from the wider business community for UNICEF Ireland’s Get A Vaccine, Give a Vaccine campaign, requesting a donation to UNICEF to support its ongoing work as it leads the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history.
Ian Talbot added: "As is now clear to us all, the extent of community stretches far beyond our borders in a pandemic. Ireland’s vaccination effort is only one part of a much greater whole, and more support must be given to global vaccination efforts.
"If a global approach to ending the pandemic is not prioritised, the risk of a faltering recovery will increase. This has the potential to lead to entrenched loss of life and disruption to economies and supply chains for years to come."
Peter Power, Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland said: "No one is safe until we are all safe. Covid-19 spikes occurring around the world and the emergence of variants threaten us all. That's why UNICEF has taken on to procure and supply two billion vaccines to vulnerable populations worldwide.
"It’s a mammoth task, but we are confident we can achieve it – with the help of the Irish public. We've launched the Get a Vaccine Give a Vaccine campaign to give every adult an opportunity to come together in support of global vaccine equity – taking part is an act of solidarity. Visit unicef.ie to join the historic movement to end Covid-19."
