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ALL 5-11 YEAR-OLDS who are registered for a vaccine will be able to get their primary dose from today.
In a statement yesterday, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan and Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Council Professor Karina Butler encouraged parents and guardians to bring their children to receive a jab.
The Christmas period saw record rates of infections in the country, with 7,411 new cases confirmed on 23 December, and 20,554 confirmed on 30 December 2021.
Ireland’s paediatric vaccination programme is underway, with vaccines available since Monday to children aged 5 to 11 who are at risk of severe illness from Covid-19 due to underlying health conditions, or who live with someone at-risk.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Saturday with Katie Hannon, Director of Public Health in the National Immunisation Office Dr Lucy Jessop said that 77,000 children have been registered for the vaccine over the last few days out of a cohort of 480,000.
When asked about vaccine hesitancy among parents, she said: “I wouldn’t call it vaccine hesitancy. I think parents have concerns obviously. They absolutely would like good information on the vaccine. They want to make sure it is safe for children,” she said.
“We we launched our information campaign a couple of weeks ago around that to give parents time to look into that information and discuss it if they need to with a trusted healthcare professional like their GP or a pharmacist.
So it’s not so much vaccine hesitancy. I think parents are taking their time to consider the information and to decide whether that’s the best decision for their children to be vaccinated.
She said that around 200 children have been hospitalised with Covid over the past two years, while about half those occurred since June of last year. She added that 12 children hospitalised with the virus required intensive care.
“There are some children, unfortunately, who do need to go to hospital and do need intensive care. Of those who were hospitalised, 70% did not have an underlying condition.”
Mary Favier, Covid advisor to the Irish College of General Practitioners and a member of NPHET, told RTÉ’s Brendan O’Connor programme this morning that there is “some optimism” about the current Covid situation despite the current high level case numbers.
“There is some optimism that we are managing and getting through it with some very difficult disruption,” she said.
She also said that there are not many people getting “really sick” from the virus.
“In my practice we haven’t sent anybody to hospital and we haven’t even had to consider it, so that sets a ground for optimism.”
In a statement yesterday, Minister Donnelly said: “As we wait for more evidence to emerge on the severity of infection with the Omicron variant, it is important that we continue to encourage all of those eligible for vaccination to come forward.”
“It is important to discuss the Covid-19 vaccine with your child. As a parent of children in this age group myself, I know that children have many questions about Covid-19 and about this vaccine,” he added.
Holohan said that “while we know that most children in the 5 – 11 age group will experience a very mild form of this disease, for a small few, they may become severely ill.”
Butler said that, in recommending vaccination for this age group, NIAC “considered the potential risks and benefits of vaccination, including the direct and indirect effects on health and wellbeing in this age group.”
She said that she understands many parents and guardians will have genuine concerns and questions about the vaccine for their children.
However, she added that the threat Covid-19 poses to children includes the “significant negative impact on … the educational and social lives of our children”, and that the benefits of vaccination “far outweigh the risks.”
Today, a record 26,122 new cases of Covid were reported in Ireland, with 917 people in hospital with the virus, 83 of whom are receiving treatment in intensive care.
With reporting from Jane Moore
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American idiots!
No wonder the yanks love and defend the Israelis. Birds of a feather. No regard for other human life. Innocent little kids blown to bits, too bad. People dying in a so called civilised society because they can’t afford private healthcare. Tough, just die then.
Paul – You really showed them how much you care for human life with that statement
It’s their attitude not mine
Your connection of Obamacare to Israel is really poor. Don’t even understand how you linked the 2 in your head.
Reagan
You have been on here for days nonstop …. Get some sleep pal !
@1 Human
What’s the point of voting in a president who promises change, he gives you that in the form of affordable healthcare (whatever you think about it) and then you allow people to sue him for it? That makes no sense what-so-ever. If ever you had reason to keep the status quo this is it.
Here for days – says Glen! Brilliant, comment of the day.
Jason, he’s not equating Obamacare with Israel.it’s Republicans he’s talking about and to be fair they are the ones bankrolling Israel while Americans die of plague (not an exaggeration, it’s really happening) because they live in one of the states that has repealed Obamacare and therefore can’t afford healthcare.
The Republicans will do anything that isn’t governing.”we’re running out of stuff to refuse to do, so let’s sue the president.”
People are not dying because they can’t afford health care. They may be in debt but emergency rooms are required by law to treat you whether you have insurance or not . There is also Medicaid for those who are in poverty . Nice to paint an entire country with the same brush . We all support Israel and don’t care about others ? You don’t have a clue. I have great insurance through my job but support universal health care . Obamacare has been great for some and apparently not so for others. Is it perfect ? No, but it’s a step in the right direction.
I was unemployed and without income at all for almost a year. I couldn’t afford insurance and was told that I didn’t qualify for Medicaid because I had no children, wasn’t disabled, and was under 64. I supported the health care exchange and I don’t regret it but the system is flawed. There are people dying everyday because they don’t have coverage due to gaps in the law. Emergency Rooms don’t have to treat people, they’re only required to stabilize and release for patients with no insurance. I should know, my father was an ER doctor. He hated sending people home without proper treatment. Not every American has options or healthcare access.
The emergency room (or other better equipped units within the hospital) must treat an individual with an EMC until the condition is resolved or stabilized and the patient is able to provide self-care following discharge, or if unable, can receive needed continual care. Inpatient care provided must be at an equal level for all patients, regardless of ability to pay. Hospitals may not discharge a patient prior to stabilization if the patient’s insurance is canceled or otherwise discontinues payment during course of stay.
It all power politics and Obama knows it’s nothing to worry about. I actually think the Dems will do okay in the November mid-terms. That would be a kinda first for the incumbent party. The republicans seem directionless and at this moment I’d say the Dems are odds on favourites to keep the White House in November 2016. Albeit a lot can change in two years!
The gridlock in American politics does not help anyone. The country is too divided and too partisan to function correctly. Aspirationally the idea of the legislature and executive being divided is great but technically it’s just doesn’t work.
@Jason Countries all over the world uses Presidential systems. Have done for hundreds of years (in the case of the US). But, no, you say it doesn’t work. So thats it then.
Simon, what in saying is that American politics have become so decisive that it’s not working for the best of the people that it was designed to protect. America must find away to work together and to put such partisan politics behind it. America is a great place but it’s not the self styled greatest country in the world, however the potential is there if politics and politicians could just work together.
Definitely a stunt by the Republicans, timing it for the mid terms. Kevin I don’t share your optimism re those mid terms and I think Obama is going to have a difficult 2 years left in office. Still think Hilary is in a fantastic position and barring health issues or some piece of dirt that can be dragged up on her is my favourite for 2016.
Fox News are creaming themselves.
“It’s about defending the Constitution that we swore an oath to uphold, and acting decisively when it may be compromised”
And Snowden is still a criminal in (most of) their eyes. Selective implementation of ethics there, Boner.
Seriously though,Republicans are W*nkers…
I’m betting that Frank Underwood is behind all this.
Underwood’s a Democrat though.
He should be brought to the Hague and tried for facilitating war crimes in Gaza. Very disappointed with his presidency so far nothing has changed. Blame the republicans have n congress all you want but it is true he has spent more time fundraising than anything else lately. His foreign policy is killing many innocents. It still could be worse Romney could have won.
Phil, anything he tries to do has to be approved by Republicans therefore it can’t be done. The Gaza funding was happening way before his presidency and would require a house vote to stop.
Also he’s a hell of a lot better than the last guy.
The Republicans are America’s Likud- biased, bigoted, uncaring, backward , ignorant , Neanderthal warmongers.!
What sort of a country is this USA – they can afford wars worldwide – but not healthcare for their people ?.
If this was about invading some country – would the right wing nutters object ?
Republicans on the other hand have been extremely obliging in allowing the law to go through, all they’ve done is try to repeal it an innumerable number of times, shut down the Government and threaten a catastrophic default, refuse to expand Medicaid to help the poor in many states, throw billions at advertisements denouncing it and now refuse to change one clause in the law, meaning that those who sign up (in states that have refused to implement exchanges) through federal exchanges won’t be eligible for subsidies so they can actually afford healthcare. But they’re right, it’s the President who has committed abhorrent actions by trying to expand health coverage to all.
Jon Stewart couldn’t have said it better himself
At least we know that we’re not the only country to elect idiots!
This is why we can’t have nice things. American politics is on the extreme end of the scale but it’s the same everywhere, different parties offer different things but it’s really just the same sh*t with a new face on it. Why not get rid of party politics and have a united government that puts the people 1st and not their party.
Holy shit…. Any excuse to get Obama out…. Americans are thick.
Ye Americans are so thick. It must be why they are the unidisputed rulers of the world. They should take a leaf out of Ireland’s book.
Cliches! The Irish are drunk.
Rulers or Bullies?? Most bullies I remember from school were not at all bright. And remember we are talking about a country where 48% of them believe the Earth is 6000 years old!!
Elaine, Americans aren’t stupid, they’re just distracted, much like most of the rest of the western world, spiritually sterile, including here..,
Very insightful comment there Elaine…
They would have better luck trying to sue the Devil.
And that’s what you get for trying to help impoverished Americans. Imagine what they’d do to him if he tried to “intervene” in Israel’s latest offensive against Palestinians?
For the Irish left and the anti American/Israeli brigade the US president and the devil are one and the same.
The finger certainly points at Obama.. Born 4th August 61 the 216th date of year…216 = 6x6x6
61 is also the 18th prime number …18 = 6+6+6
The Devil? I thought he was a reptilian?
18 = 9+9
18 = 3+3+3+3+3+3
Stop talking in numbers and look into the eyes …look into the eyes ! …l.o.l..
It’s not the “impoverished Americans”, as you put it, who want to sue him, it’s the rich Republicans in Congress and their rich Republican sympathiser friends who were quite happy to see poor people die because they were unable to afford private health care.
No Wesole ; Ben Nitay is !
America is historically opposed to Socialism which is why the Republicans are suing him, because Obama is trying to implement socialist policies by bypassing Congress
And even more sinister, the square root of 6 x 6 x6 is 14.69694.
This is precisely the age in years that Obama was at a point in time between his 14th and 15th birthdays.
Also, if you add up all the digits in 14.69694 you get 39 which is in the title of a film he once watched.
Coincidence? I think not.
The very first occurrence in the Bible of a word with a gematria value of 234 in the original Hebrew language is “BARAK” …. barak / bless and occurs at Genisis 12:3
234 = 6+6+6 x 6 x 6 x 6
Non existent?
Mistake …234 = 6+6+6 +6 x 6 x 6 Also can be calculated as 13×18 (The Verse in Revelation concerning. the AC)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+13%3A18&version=KJV
Ablitive is just Frank under a new pseudonym right? Please tell me we don’t have two of these people in Ireland!
Obama Care has been a total flop. Very few have taken it up. Yet another disaster for Obama.
He is a great talker but that’s about it.
Oh and wait for the House of Cards fans commenting. Just because you watch the shown doesn’t mean you are an expert.
Democracy Rules!
Go USA
It’s a shame Alan Shatter is so busy with his own case ; his logic would go down a treat for the Republican Case !
Dermot, you’re opinions are in every article I’ve read today. As is the case everyday. Get a job and stop been so angry with everyone and everything.
Stopped posting under your Fake Mick account for today, eh Dermot?
wrong Jason ..
I have only one account and my name and address are a matter of public record .
Colm … read more articles ..I tend to stick to political and religious ones …because part of the problem with Ireland is the old adage “Never discuss Religion and Politics !” ..and guess who that suited for so many years ? And I have a job Colm !
Jason might I suggest some study into the collective consciousness … there are 2 ; one white – one black.
Is that him in the pic? Far shot from his wikipedia picture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Boehner
That’s the problem with Americans they sue for just about anything and never less than 50 million dollars
Let him rot in a dark cave, his hands are stained with the blood of thousands of innocent women and children who were murdered in the name of American freedom
They wouldn’t sue bush over weapons of mass destruction in iraq .but they will try and sue obama for trying to get everyone health care .idiots to day the least
So we’re all agreed that Obamacare is a good thing, but Obama is right to delay implementing it in full, then?
have your say