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THE UK GOVERNMENT on Sunday vowed to offer a first coronavirus vaccine dose to every adult by the end of July, as it readied to announce a gradual easing of its third lockdown.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who will outline the lockdown review in parliament on Monday, said the faster inoculation campaign would seek to offer a first dose to everyone aged over 50 by mid-April.
The previous targets in the world-first campaign were to inoculate over 50s by May, and all adults by September.
“We will now aim to offer a jab to every adult by the end of July, helping us protect the most vulnerable sooner, and take further steps to ease some of the restrictions,” Johnson said while adding the exit would be “cautious and phased”.
Britain, one of the hardest-hit countries in the world by the Covid-19 pandemic with more than 120,000 deaths, was also the first nation to begin a mass vaccination campaign, in December.
More than 17 million people have now received at least a first dose – one-third of the UK population.
But with infection rates and hospitalisations soaring after an easing of restrictions over Christmas, the government imposed a third lockdown at the start of January, including the closure of schools, non-essential businesses and hospitality venues.
Case numbers are falling again and early evidence suggests the vaccinations are helping to reduce serious illness, while pressure is building on the government to return to normality.
Johnson’s cabinet was meeting on Sunday to finalise his House of Commons statement, which is expected to endorse the reopening of schools on March 8 – although teaching unions say allowing all pupils to return on the same day is “reckless”.
“All of us understandably want to go back to normal, but it is right to be cautious,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News on Sunday, noting that nearly 20,000 people remain in hospital with Covid.
Johnson’s statement is expected to lay out a gradual easing more widely after March 8, including for outdoor activities. But the full reopening of retail and pubs, and attendance at sporting events, will be delayed until later.
John Edmunds, an epidemiologist and government advisor from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told the BBC: “The vast majority of us are still not immune.”
Easing up too quickly will increase pressure, cases will increase again. We’re not through this yet.
Edmunds also called for the acceleration of vaccine trials on children, stressing “there is significant risk of a resurgence” until the entire population is inoculated, not just adults.
© AFP 2021
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To be fair, Enterprise Ireland also deserve a lot of credit helping Irish companies grow internationally
Credit where credit is due
CREDIT. Credit got us into this shit!
We have a corporate tax rate lass than half the European average, surely it can’t be so hard to attract foreign direct investment.
Large commercial decisions are not made on only one criterion. We have a supportive open economy, relatively we are low on corruption and bribery, we speak English, are well-educated, and have yankee sympathies.
That also helps…
Another example of an overly simplistic view of our Corporation tax System. Have a look ..,. http://www.ronanlyons.com/2011/05/17/just-say-non-the-facts-on-corporate-tax-rates-in-europe/
to be reaaly fair, the taxpayer who funds both of them deserves a lot of credit also, most of whom derive little benefit
Eh, jobs?
jobs for a small number of citizens at a big cost to other taxpayers but the real scandal is the tax that the companies dont pay, its a neat trick but ask the people who have been dumped when the taxpayer funded Grants run out
Gerry. You are a cretin. For every job the State saves on Social Welfare and earns income taxes etc. That doesn’t even include the plethora of indigenous companies that feed off IDA companies. The positive ratio of investment to return with the IDA has been definitively proven. Would you ever educate yourself about the subject you’re pontificating about before commenting. My eyes are sore after reading your rubbish.
Fair play and well done IDA for a job well done. Keep up the good work!
I’m happy the Guardian mentioned the terrific work of the IDA – which is good PR for Ireland. But as for Jedward (2 grown up men acting like 11-year-old girls) – not so good.
Ah here now, 11 year old girls aren’t as bad as those clown to be fair.
As Roy would say, its like praising the postman for delivering letters.!
Roy who?
The Grauniad rails against tax dodging corpos, yet its editorial praises same to the hilt.
Hypocrites.
The Grauniad? Is that a character from lord of the rings?
It’s a reference to how the newspaper used to be full of typos.
Tried to get a job with the IDA years ago. Having no connections at all made that impossible in the Ireland of the 80′S. I wonder have things changed. Doubt it.
Maybe you didn’t have the necessary skills or experience????
Job advertised was for Assistant Executive, Trainee, a third level qualification (non specified) required. Quite general. Always wondered what the background of the people who landed those very coveted jobs back in the recession hit 80′s was.
Ha I’m sure plenty of people didn’t get the job. That’s what happens when more than one person applies for a job. No need to play the victim
When i went to school it was the industrial development authority. Why the name change?
Things change Joe….
I feel your pain Joe, its just not fair….
Thanks IDA for not providing one job or offering one penny of investment in Cavan in 40 years.
Can’t blame the IDA that multi-nationals don’t want to go to Cavan. Is there anything that Cavan is better for than any other county?
But you had the financial wizzardry of Sean Quinn……just been watching Harry Potter!
This article is highly complimentary to the IDA. The Guardian, being a left-wing newspaper, likes the opportunity to praise the work of a successful government agency like the IDA. The IDA competes successfully against similar British agencies who are trying to attract exactly the same sort of jobs from many of the same investors. Ireland’s low corporation tax system and more effective educational system gives the IDA an edge over the British agencies. The IDA has done a good job over the years but faces stiff competition from many other countries, particularly countries outside the EU where wages, energy costs and income tax and social security contributions are lower. But Ireland has the advantage of being an English speaking country within the EU, the world’s most important single Market. Much has been achieved but much more remains to be done.
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