This morning.

Merrion Street, Dublin 2.

Further to the decision to limit the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine to people aged over 60 years and the delay in the roll out of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine across Europe….

…Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has said he is hopeful the Covid-19 vaccine schedule can remain on track.

Via RTÉ

Speaking ahead of a meeting with the National Vaccination taskforce, Mr Ryan said he is confident the system is flexible and those who have had vaccinations cancelled this week will be accommodated “very quickly”.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister Ryan will talk to the taskforce and the Health Service Executive this morning ahead of a Cabinet meeting as the Government sets about adjusting the vaccination plan.

Mr Ryan said the advice about Johnson and Johnson is only temporary and the AstraZeneca vaccine has been cleared for people aged over 60.

Ryan ‘hopeful’ vaccine schedule can stay on track (RTÉ)

Sam Boal/RollingNews

Indian Jumping Ants shrink their brain for a chance to become queen, experts say

Some boffins have found an insect
Which at certain times can elect
To shrink its own brain
Which may sound insane
But it’s something you have to respect

John Moynes

NYT

Thus evening.

The “Dubai Two” leaving the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin. Niamh Mulreany (25) and Kirstie McGrath (30) were briefily detained in Mountjoy Prison when they refused to quarantine after returning to Ireland from Dubai on April 2.

Meanwhile…

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has confirmed that the Department of Health has paused taking bookings at mandatory quarantine hotels.

Mr Donnelly said it was due to a problem with ‘walk-ins’ or people who simply turn up rather than having booked online before departure.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One News, he said that on a precautionary basis, his department has paused bookings to ensure there is capacity.

Minister says bookings at mandatory quarantine hotels ‘paused’ (RTÉ)

RollingNews

This afternoon.

Earlier…

This afternoon.

Further to concerns over the link between the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots…

…The US Food and Drug Administration has recommended a “pause” to the rollout of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine so it can investigate reports of… blood clots.

The single dose vaccine has been given to 6.8 million Americans.

COVID-19: US recommends ‘pause’ to Johnson & Johnson jab rollout over blood clot fears (Sky)

Getty

Meanwhile…

Broadsheet.ie