Tag Archives: Vaccine

This morning.

A Vaccination hub at the Aviva Stadium, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

Meanwhile…

Cases of Covid-19 in hospitals continue to reduce, according to the latest figures from the Health Service Executive.

Last night, there were 813 patients with the disease being cared for in hospitals, which is down 48 cases on the same time yesterday morning.

The number of patients in ICU with the virus has also reduced to 151.

Cases of Covid in hospitals reduce, ICU figure down (RTÉ)

RollingNews

A medic prepares to administer the Moderna vaccine at the HSE National Ambulance Service HQ last month

This afternoon.

In the Dáil sitting in the Convention Centre.

Independent TD Richard O’Donoghue said:

“At the moment, I’m getting calls in my office that people are still saying that there are frontline workers and carers waiting for their vaccine but yet there are people that are not involved in the health system are getting the vaccine…I got five phone calls again, yesterday, about people outside frontline services getting vaccines, that were not in frontline.”

Meanwhile, Independent TD Maurice Collins said:

“I’m getting calls from doctors, from nurses, from home help in West Cork that haven’t been able to acquire the vaccine yet. And, at the same time, I’m getting calls that some politicians, councillors, are getting it in places. Is this turning into a nod and wink situation?

“Where the vaccine will be given to some and not to more? These people, at the very least, they deserve to be offered the vaccine, the doctors and nurses and home help first, and home carers.”

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar told the deputies that the Government policy is very clear and there are only three groups of people who should be getting the vaccine at present – care home residents over the age of 65; care home staff; and healthcare workers including some admin and reception staff; people over the age of 85.

He added:

“If you have particular incidences, or particular examples of people who received the vaccine who shouldn’t, do let us know and we’ll follow that up.”

Anyone?

RollingNews

Rik Daems, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, addressing council members this week

The Council of Europe  – an international Strasbourg-based organisation comprising 47 countries aimed at ‘protecting human rights and the rule of law in Europe ‘- has adopted the following ethical guidelines for member states ‘with respect to ensuring high vaccine uptake’…

7.3.1 ensure that citizens are informed that the vaccination is NOT mandatory and that no one is politically, socially, or otherwise pressured to get themselves vaccinated, if they do not wish to do so themselves;
7.3.2 ensure that no one is discriminated against for not having been vaccinated, due to possible health risks or not wanting to be vaccinated;
7.3.3 take early effective measures to counter misinformation, disinformation and hesitancy regarding Covid-19 vaccines;
7.3.4 distribute transparent information on the safety and possible side effects of vaccines, working with and regulating social media platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation;
7.3.5 communicate transparently the contents of contracts with vaccine producers and make them publicly available for parliamentary and public scrutiny…

Covid-19 vaccines: ethical, legal and practical considerations (Council of Europe)

Earlier: Nothing To Read Here

Oh.

This morning/afternoon.

The European Commission published a redacted version of its contract with drugs giant AstraZeneca on Friday, hoping to prove the company had breached a commitment on coronavirus vaccine deliveries.

Releasing the document, EU spokesman Eric Mamer said it would show that the contract covers AstraZeneca plants in the UK and that “these plants will contribute to the effort … to deliver doses to the European Union”.

EU publishes redacted AstraZeneca vaccine contract (RTÉ)

Yesterday: Non-Vintage

Meanwhile…

Ah here.

This afternoon.

Further to yesterday’s Astrazeneca/EU shenanigans…

…and with the Anglo/Swedish pharma giant having denied claims that its’ vaccine was substantially less effective among the over-65s…

…via AP:

A draft recommendation from Germany’s vaccination advisory committee calls for offering the AstraZeneca vaccine only to people aged 18-64 for now, citing what it says is insufficient data to judge its effectiveness for older people.

The European Medicines Agency is expected to approve the AstraZeneca vaccine for use in the 27-nation European Union on Friday.

…Germany’s permanent vaccination commission said that “there currently is not sufficient data to assess the vaccination effectiveness from 65 years.”

German draft doesn’t recommend AstraZeneca jab for over-65s (WBNG)

Yesterday: Vial Behaviour

Earlier: Zero Sum Game

This morning.

AstraZeneca has pulled out from a meeting with the European Union scheduled for today to discuss Covid-19 vaccine supplies, an EU official said.

The Commission is demanding more information about the company’s projected 60 percent cut to the EU’s deliveries in the first quarter of 2021.

Via RTÉ:

The official added that the EU keeps asking the company to provide further explanations about its announcement to cut vaccine deliveries to the EU in the first quarter

The European Union has also asked the pharma giant to publish the contract it signed with the bloc on Covid-19 vaccine supplies after the company’s chief executive revealed confidential clauses.

Hmm.

Meanwhile…

Yesterday.

*cough*

EU says AstraZeneca pulled out of meeting over vaccine contract (RTÉ)

Getty

This morning.

The UK Advertising Standards Authority has told  Ryanair that its “Jab & Go” advert (above) must not run again in its current form.

Via UK Aviation:

The watchdog received a large number of complaints about the campaign which told customers “vaccines are coming” and encouraged them to book flights in order to “Jab & Go”.

The ASA upheld the complaints saying that it was “likely that consumers would interpret the phrase ‘vax and go’/‘jab and go’ as an unequivocal endorsement of vaccinating and travelling unconditionally.”.

In response, Ryanair said it would comply with the ruling but disagreed with the decision.

Ryanair went on to claim that the decision meant all advertising for Airlines, Tour Operators, and travel agents for travel or holidays this Easter & Summer should also be banned.

Ryanair’s ‘Jab & Go’ campaign is outlawed by ASA (UK Aviation)

Thanks Ted

Annie Lynch was the first person to receive the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Ireland on December 29, 2020

Annie receives her second shot this morning

This morning.

Why does she get two?

FIGHT!

Donnelly says ‘about 1.9%’ of population vaccinated (RTÉ)

RollingNews

This morning.

In a statement, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said he was made aware last night of a situation with regard to the administration of vaccines on Friday at the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital.

Via RTÉ:

“Trust in the vaccine programme is of critical importance and what happened should not have happened,” the statement added.

“Our vaccine allocation strategy clearly sets out a priority list for vaccination – and that’s currently for frontline healthcare workers and residents and staff of our long term residential care facilities.

“It does not include family members of healthcare workers.

“I will be speaking with the Chair of the Coombe Hospital Board for a full account,” the statement said.

‘Full account’ sought after family members of Coombe staff given vaccine (RTE)

Meanwhile…

Saturday.

Phoenix Park, Dublin.

The Moderna vaccine being administered at the HSE National Ambulance Service HQ in conjunction with HSE Public Health.

Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland