Adi, 7, receives her first vaccination last night in Tel Aviv, Israel after the country approved vaccinations for children aged 5-11

This morning.

Via RTÉ:

Israel has begun rolling out Covid-19 vaccines for children aged five to 11, becoming one of a handful of countries to inoculate children so young as it seeks to ward off another pandemic wave.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has said the country is experiencing a “children’s wave” with about half of the recently confirmed cases among children below the age of 11.

While the campaign for younger minors was set to officially start today, doses were already being administered by last night.

Israel vaccinates children as young as five against Covid (RTÉ)

Reuters

Meanwhile…

‘sup?

This morning.

Via Dogs Trust:

Earlier this month, we announced our campaign to #EndPuppyFarming and shared stories of some of the 130 victims of puppy farming that we cared for this year. These frightened little souls lived in absolute misery – their condition when they came to us shocked even our most experienced staff.

To highlight the transformations these dogs made, all thanks to our wonderful supporters, we are releasing a video (above) of some of the dogs’ receiving toys for the first time. With everything they’ve been through, it is amazing to watch their curious, excited and hopeful reactions to their first ever cuddly toy.

Puppy farm petition here

Dogs Trust

Ah here.

This morning.

The Square, Tallaght, Dublin.

Safety-conscious Santa launches the Christmas festivities in new normal style at The Square in Tallaght which sees the return of Santa’s Grotto, an Adventure Trail in the centre, plus a panoramic ferris wheel and festive funfair outside.

Christmas At The Square

Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

Oh.

Pillow fight!

Paschal Sheehy donating blood in 2019; Claire Byrne

Staying in tonight?

On Claire Byrne Live…

…Laura Fitzgerald writes:

Higher rates of Covid have led to a reduction in the number of people available to give blood. With more blood donors are needed, RTE News’ Southern Editor Paschal Sheehy will give blood on screen tonight. He’ll be explaining why it’s so important to donate and show people how straightforward the process is…

Right so.

Claire Byrne Live at 10.35pm on RTÉ One.

RTÉ/Irish Blood Transfusion

This afternoon.

Cork city.

Via The Irish Examiner:

The State stands ready to administer Covid vaccines to primary school children if European regulators approve it, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheál Martin said, however, it was unlikely children in the five to 11 age group will get the jab here before Christmas, given the timeline and logistics involved.

Mr Martin said the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which has since October been evaluating the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine on children aged between five and 11, is expected to issue its recommendation soon – possibly within the next two weeks.

“My view there is that we will then have to go to Niac here but I would support the rollout to children in due course once it’s authorised by the relevant authorities who have the clinical expertise to make that recommendation,” he said.

Taoiseach: Ireland will vaccinate primary school children if EMA approves it (Irish Examiner)

Meanwhile…

RollingNews

Meanwhile..

Pfizer and BioNTech said their Covid-19 vaccine remained 100% effective in children 12 to 15 years old, four months after the second dose.

The companies said that the new data, which involved 2,228 trial participants, will help support their applications for full approval in the United States and worldwide.

No serious safety concerns were observed in individuals with at least six months of follow-up after the second dose.

Vaccine 100% effective in teenagers after 4 months – Pfizer (RTÉ)

Barry McCormack – Staring Down At Your Shoes

Going down?

Treasured Dublin songsmith Barry McCormack (top) wishes he’d taken the stairs in the Kafkaesque new video for this song from his highly recommended album Mean Time.

Barry writes:

“I made this video with Linda Lilian in a vintage ‘birdcage’ lift in Helsinki. Many thanks to our fellow elevator riders for their patience during the gruelling three-month shoot.”

Nick says: Not suitable for claustrophobics.

Barry McCormack

Broadsheet.ie