New interim civil service boss to lead coronavirus vaccine taskforce in Northern Ireland, says Michelle O’Neill

A new interim head of the Civil Service will be appointed soon to lead the vaccine taskforce in Northern Ireland, Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Nov 2020, 18:00 BST
Updated 27th Nov 2020, 09:51 BST
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First Minister Arlene Foster said the rollout of the vaccine presented huge logistical challenges and has established a taskforce including the Public Health Agency, Health Department, Executive Office and logistics experts to take the work forward.

A total of four million doses have been ordered.

Between 5,000 and 8,000 vaccines are expected to be delivered per day.

Undated handout file photo issued by University of Oxford of research to develop a vaccine that could prevent people from getting Covid-19. The University of Oxford is expected to release data on the effectiveness of its coronavirus vaccine in the coming weeks, with the latest trial results suggesting it produces a strong immune response in older adults. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday November 19, 2020. The ChAdOx1 nCov-2019 vaccine has been shown to trigger a robust immune response in healthy adults aged 56-69 and people over 70. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus Vaccine. Photo credit should read: University of Oxford/PA WireUndated handout file photo issued by University of Oxford of research to develop a vaccine that could prevent people from getting Covid-19. The University of Oxford is expected to release data on the effectiveness of its coronavirus vaccine in the coming weeks, with the latest trial results suggesting it produces a strong immune response in older adults. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday November 19, 2020. The ChAdOx1 nCov-2019 vaccine has been shown to trigger a robust immune response in healthy adults aged 56-69 and people over 70. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus Vaccine. Photo credit should read: University of Oxford/PA Wire
Undated handout file photo issued by University of Oxford of research to develop a vaccine that could prevent people from getting Covid-19. The University of Oxford is expected to release data on the effectiveness of its coronavirus vaccine in the coming weeks, with the latest trial results suggesting it produces a strong immune response in older adults. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday November 19, 2020. The ChAdOx1 nCov-2019 vaccine has been shown to trigger a robust immune response in healthy adults aged 56-69 and people over 70. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus Vaccine. Photo credit should read: University of Oxford/PA Wire
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A total of 100,000 healthcare staff can be processed over three weeks.

In a press conference at Stormont on Thursday, she said the Stormont Executive would meet again on Tuesday to discuss Christmas.

That includes the place of nursing homes and a definition of households for meeting-up purposes.

It has been reported that Tanaiste Leo Varadkar had advised against travel from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland over Christmas.

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He has publicly clarified that the Irish government is not planning to ban cross-border travel despite the fact that infection rates are higher in Northern Ireland.

First Minister Arlene Foster said: “It is really regrettable that the Tanaiste should make those sorts of comments.”

She referred to Ireland’s determination to keep the border open following Brexit.

“It appears that the border has made a reappearance.”

She added: “We want to see good co-operation across the whole of the British Isles so family can be together in an appropriate way over the holiday period.”

Ms O’Neill criticised the Fine Gael leader.

“He has demonstrated that he is completely out of touch with the reality of life on this island.

“We can do more and we can be more joined up. I would like to see a lot more communication.”

Related topics:Michelle O'NeillArlene FosterNorthern IrelandCivil ServiceStormont Executive