We won’t base easing of virus restrictions on RoI vaccination rate: Swann

Robin Swann said he did not think Northern Ireland would judge when to reopen society from coronavirus restrictions on the Republic of Ireland’s vaccination rate.
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“It would be unfair to do that to the people of Northern Ireland because our vaccine programme is meeting our needs,” he said.

“In the Republic of Ireland, I’ve heard the Taoiseach say they hope to catch up in a couple of weeks or a month’s time, so that’s something we would like to see.”

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He described the difference in vaccine rates as “simply down to supply chains”.

Health Minister Robin SwannHealth Minister Robin Swann
Health Minister Robin Swann

“We’re part of the UK pre-bought programme which bought into seven different vaccine sources even before they had been authorised, and the Republic has tied in with the European Union’s vaccine purchasing programme, and we’re seeing the challenges that has brought but we’re also hopeful that any difficulties between the UK and EU or Oxford/AstraZeneca will be ironed out and ironed out very soon because this shouldn’t be about politics, this is about public health.”