Vaccinations offer hope of normality returning at last

For a government that has been subject to withering criticism for much of its handling of the pandemic, its approach to vaccines has virtually been above reproach. It left nothing to chance by making a series of vast orders as early as last summer and has been ahead of the game since.

There has been criticism of the approach here in Northern Ireland with over-65s recently having been able to book their appointments at the mass vaccination centres, while over-70s waited anxiously to hear from their GP.

On the whole though, the programme has run smoothly, and if the government delivers on that over-50s target by early May, the vast majority of those who are vulnerable to coronavirus should have had a first jab.

However, it is also imperative that as the vaccinations help reduce new Covid-19 cases, and drastically drop the numbers becoming seriously ill, that the draconian restrictions on our lives are also dramatically eased.

It was worrying to read that several teaching unions here advocate keeping schools closed well past Easter, opening up the unacceptable prospect of children being deprived of face-to-face education for many more months.