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The process behind the development of a Covid-19 vaccine accelerated, but “no corners have been cut,” said a spokesman for the World Health Organization.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Dr. Margaret Harris said the process to develop a Covid-19 vaccine was sped up but there were no shortcuts.
Dr. Harris said that the science that was needed was done before the outbreak, and much of the knowledge also came from other viruses, such as SARS.
He said regulators had also been doing their job before the final data and were ready to review it.
Dr. Harris has described the development of vaccines against the virus as “much-wanted good news” before Christmas.
It does not foresee major problems regarding the storage of vaccines and certain temperatures required for some.
“The Ebola vaccine that we’ve used in conflict zones is one that also has to be stored at -79 and it’s not easy, but you can do it. You can set up that cold chain and make it work,” Dr. Harris said.
She predicts the logistics of the vaccine as the main challenge and said that a good surveillance system is essential.
“You not only want to make sure they get into people’s arms, but you also want to make sure they are followed up for the second dose and you want to follow everyone to understand whether or not there are any rare side effects and who might be occurring. .
“So all of these things, all of that tremendous planning work that has started, everyone has been thinking about this for some time, but now there will be a huge acceleration,” he said.
Dr Harris said those who run the public health system in Ireland will be busy with all of this in the run-up to Christmas.
Regarding the possibility of fake vaccine passports and any counterfeiting issues, he said they have a team of experts looking at this, adding: “You need to have a good system that tracks everything at all levels.”
She said there will always be people who are concerned about getting a vaccine, so the more information there is in the public about the vaccine, the better, to help ease that anxiety.
Dr. Harris said it was critical that people have the necessary information about the vaccine.
She said: “They are the early adopters, the people who rush and want it at all costs and don’t understand that most of them will be a two dose regimen.
“It’s not like ‘I have the vaccine, everything is fine.’ No, what matters is what is happening in your body.
“Do you have the antibodies that protect against the virus? We know that we need the second dose in many of these regimens to ensure that protection.”
He said the vaccine will be an immune barrier, but it won’t stop transmission for long unless we continue with public health guidelines.
In honor of the 1.4 million people who have lost their lives to the virus, Dr. Harris appealed to the people to continue with the measures.
“They are boring and annoying, but they work,” he said.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said the government is focused on having “a clear plan” to launch a vaccine as quickly as possible and ensure that the most vulnerable get it first.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, she said there are several things happening with the vaccine before it is available.
She said the working group led by the An Taoiseach Department will bring its report and recommendation to Cabinet next week.
She said the focus is first and foremost to make sure those who need protection against the virus get the vaccine first.
“What is very clear in the changes and trends are those who are contracting the virus, the people who are dying are our elderly and those with underlying conditions, so we must make sure that they are, first of all, those who receive the vaccine. And that is our priority. “
He also said that the government will hold talks with its European counterparts on travel and vaccines, but that is not the main focus for now.
Minister McEntee said there is talk of whether people should have vaccination cards and that needs to be addressed. “We have to look at all of these.”
She said the vaccine has “gone through all the relevant channels” and is about engaging and educating people with the launch. He said he believes people are being careful and adhering to Level 3 public health guidelines, but said we must remember that as we open up society, the virus will start to spread again.
He said it is about “trying to limit that spread.”
Reflecting on Christmas, he said it’s about meeting and mingling with people during the Christmas weeks, but “not freaking out.”
“We are doing a balancing act and there is no point in saying no,” he said.
“It’s more about people’s mental health.” Adding that personal responsibility is a big part of this.
When asked if the restrictions could be eased if virus rates rise again, he said the government will address this.
“Nothing is set in stone … We have set deadlines and we wish we could stick with that”, but we admit that “if we need to change them, of course we will.”
She said anything can change and that if the numbers “get out of control” they have to address that.
The Covid-19 advisor to the Irish College of General Practitioners has said that around 60% of the population needs to make use of the Covid-19 vaccine when it becomes available for herd immunity to develop, and while that is a significant challenge , is “one we can do”.
Dr Mary Favier told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that communication about the vaccine will be important, as there are concerns and anxieties, as well as enthusiasm about the expected approval of a vaccine.
She said: “We need to listen and explore people’s anxieties because we need meaningful engagement to make it work.”
However, Dr Favier, who is a GP in Cork, said that a vaccine is still some way off, so people should focus on continuing with current health measures “to stay safe until the vaccine arrives” .
Dr. Favier said it will be important not to rush things and do it right.
She said the involvement of GPs in vaccine provision has yet to be decided, but GPs are very good at implementing vaccines and they know their patients so they are agile and can respond to challenges.
However, he said GPs are overworked, but “potentially will stand their ground” and respond if necessary.
She said that the gradual introduction of vaccines will see nursing homes, the elderly and frontline workers get it first.
Dr. Favier said GPs will be vital in identifying people with other illnesses and comorbidities who need the vaccine early.
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