Slower vaccine roll-out in Republic of Ireland could put Northern Ireland 'at risk', warns health chief

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that a nationwide clap Captain Sir Tom Moore and healthcare workers will take place tonight (3 Feb).

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Subscribe              Feb 3, 2021           Dear reader,   There is little argument that Northern Ireland has made a very positive start to its Covid-19 vaccination programme.   The Province has reaped the benefits of the UK's world-leading vaccination effort, with the over-65s group the latest to start getting the jab that will protect them from this dangerous virus.    However, Northern Ireland's chief medical officer, Dr Michael McBride, has warned that the relatively slow nature of vaccination progress south of the border in the Republic will put people here at risk.    One of the main worries about Covid-19 continues to be variants of the disease, and principally the South African strain. A viral expert has admitted that it is inevitable that the South African variant will arrive in Northern Ireland.    However encouragingly, Dr Ultan Power, professor of molecular virology at Queen's University, said he is confident that existing vaccines will still protect people against the different strains.   Meanwhile, another 11 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in Northern Ireland.   In addition, the Department of Health has revealed that another 504 people here have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours, rising to 3,404 in the last seven days.        Alistair Bushe,   Editor * Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier.   Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our subscriptions page.             A national 'clap for Captain Tom' will take place tonight - when and how to get involved           Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that a nationwide clap Captain Sir Tom Moore and healthcare workers will take place tonight (3 Feb).                 Concern as too many home care workers decline coronavirus vaccination despite working with vulnerable people, head of NI's roll-out Patricia Donnelly warns   Care workers who go into the homes of vulnerable people are not taking up the offer of coronavirus vaccinations in large enough numbers, the head of Northern Ireland's vaccine roll-out has said.           Belfast Lord Mayor opens online book of condolence for Captain Sir Tom Moore   The Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Frank McCoubrey has opened an online book of condolence in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore.           Covid antibodies last for at least 6 months after infection - what it could mean   Covid-19 antibodies last for at least six months after infection for the majority of people who have had the virus, new research has found.           Arrival of South African coronavirus strain in NI 'inevitable': Expert insists vaccines 'will work'   A virus expert has said existing vaccines "will work" to protect people against the South African strain of coronavirus.           Vaccines that protect against Covid variants to be ready by October says Oxford team   Vaccines that protect against the new Covid-19 variants should be ready by October, the team behind the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab has said.           Scotland to bring in hotel quarantine for all travellers - could the wider UK follow suit?   Anyone arriving in Scotland will be required to quarantine in a hotel due to new rules put in place by the Scottish Government, in an attempt to stop new strains of Covid entering the country.           Death toll in NI rises to 1,889 as 701 people fight COVID-19 in our hospitals   Another 11 people have died after testing positive for COVID-19, according to the Department of Health dashboard,           Here's how the film Contagion inspired Matt Hancock's Covid response - and how to watch it   Health Secretary Matt Hancock has revealed that the drive to administer millions of coronavirus vaccine doses was partly inspired by a Hollywood movie.           A Ryanair advert received more than 2,000 complaints - here's what it said   Recent adverts from budget airline Ryanair have attracted 2,370 complaints - the third highest number ever recorded by the The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).                 View more news

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