This morning.

Health Committee, Dail Eireann.

Via RTÉ News:

Outgoing Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has said it is not his intention to return to the role “at any point in the future“.

In his opening statement to the Oireachtas Committee on Health, Dr Holohan said his secondment to Trinity College Dublin means he has relinquished his role as CMO.

He announced last month that he is taking on a new role as Professor of Public Health Strategy and Leadership at TCD.

A TCD spokesperson has said the role is “funded by the Department of Health … under the same terms and conditions of his existing contract”.

The TCD role was not put out to open competition and the university said it “was created with Dr Holohan in mind”.

Holohan says he does not intend to return to CMO role (RTE)

RollingNews

This morning.

Via Paul Cullen in The Irish Times:

Patients with Covid-19 face an increased risk of serious blood clots up to six months after being infected, according to new research.

There is an increased risk of pulmonary embolism – a blood clot in the lung – up to six months after infection, the study by Swedish researchers indicates.

For deep vein thrombosis – a blood clot in the leg – there is an increased risk for up to three months and for bleeding events up to two months, they found.

From the records of more than one million people with Covid-19 and four million who were not infected, the researchers identified 401 patients who had the disease and suffered a deep vein thrombosis, and 267 cases in the control group…

However…

The study is observational, so the researchers cannot establish cause. They also note limitations such as possible underdiagnosis of clotting, limited testing for Covid and the non-availability of information on vaccination.

Hmm.

Risk of blood clots rises in Covid-19 patients, Swedish study finds (Paul Cullen, Irish Times)

Meanwhile…

New research may help shed light on a rare but serious blood-clotting problem associated with the COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson….

Rare vaccine-related blood clots tied to gene (EuroNews)

RollingNews

Last night.

The (Modern)A Team.

Grrr.

Meanwhile…

…via RTÉ News:

The European Centre for Disease Control and the European Medicines Agency’s Covid-19 task force has concluded that it is too early to consider using a fourth dose of mRNA Covid-19 vaccines in the general population.

However, both agencies have agreed that a fourth dose (or second booster) can be given to adults 80 years of age and above, after reviewing data on the higher risk of severe Covid-19 in this age group and the protection provided by a fourth dose.

They also also noted that there is currently no clear evidence in the EU that vaccine protection against severe disease is waning substantially in adults with normal immune systems aged 60 to 79 years, and therefore no clear evidence to support the immediate use of a fourth dose.

‘Too early’ for fourth Covid vaccine dose for general population – ECDC, EMA (RTE)

Getty

From top: the Dáil chamber yesterday during the address to the joint houses of the Oireachtas by Ukraine President Zelensky; Miniuster For Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney

Last night.

Via RTE News:

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said that Ireland would support a complete ban on Russian coal, oil and gas.

Speaking about Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to the Dáil chamber, Mr Coveney said” “Undoubtedly his (Mr Zelensky’s) biggest ask was for sanctions to be tougher, to act as a strong deterrent to Russia in terms of the continuation of this war,” he added.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One News, Mr Coveney said: “I think the EU has signed off, or at least the EU Commission has signed off on a strong fifth package of sanctions and we will hopefully confirm that politically in the next few days.”

He said that while there is a proposed ban on the purchase of coal from Russia into the EU, he would like to see oil added to this.

“I can accept that there are complications in relation to gas, although Ireland would certainly support a complete ban on Russian coal, oil and gas,” he said.

The minister added that he recognises that some countries in the European Union, particularly on its eastern borders, are highly reliant on Russian gas in particular.

Ireland ‘would support complete ban’ on Russian fuel, says Coveney (RTE)

RollingNews

Meanwhile…

Yesterday.

Stop that.

This morning.

Unidentified park, Dublin.

Actor Johnny Ward is’ reaching new heights’ by taking part in Down Syndrome Ireland’s Abseil in Croke Park on Saturday, May 7.

The charity is calling for all ‘adrenaline junkies’ to join Johnny and help children and adults with Down syndrome across the country. DSI needs to fundraise 80% of its running costs each year/

Down Syndrome Ireland

Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

This afternoon.

Via RTÉ News:

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has recommended a fourth Covid vaccine dose for everyone aged 65 and older.

It also recommended a second booster for those aged 12 and older who are immunocompromised and children aged five to 11 who are immunocompromised should complete an extended primary course, which is a total of three vaccine doses.

Meanwhile…

“Those who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated continue to be disproportionately affected and account for approximately a third of hospitalisations for Covid-19.

“As such, I urge anyone for whom an additional dose of vaccine has been recommended, or anyone yet to receive their primary course or booster vaccine do so as soon as possible.

“I have asked the NIAC to continue to actively examine the evidence regarding the likely benefit of a second booster to other groups, vaccine choice and interval, in order to make further recommendations in this regard.”

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland

Um.

Anyone?

Fourth Covid vaccine dose recommended for over 65s (RTÉ)

RollingNews

Alternatively…

Hush now.

Yesterday.

Meanwhile…

This morning/afternoon.

Cancelled

Now freeze his pension.

He must be silenced forever.

Meanwhile…

Fight!

Matt Le Tissier ‘steps aside’ from ambassador role at Southampton (BBC)

Broadsheet.ie