UK should share replacement vaccines with Ireland, says Mary Lou McDonald



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The UK should share any replacement coronavirus vaccines with Ireland, the Sinn Féin president has said.

Mary Lou McDonald said the spirit of “generosity and solidarity” in the vaccine exchange should spread globally.

He was asked on Sky News if he would like to see overdoses from the UK diverted to the Republic, given the slower pace of the vaccine launch in the EU.

“Certainly if there is a glut in Britain and if there is capacity for it to be shared with Ireland at some point, well yes, of course, absolutely, the project here is to vaccinate people,” he replied.

“This is a race against this virus and against death, so yes, I believe that a spirit of justice and generosity must prevail in this, my God, above all other issues.

“So, yes, is the answer, and if the scenario were the other way around, I would expect a similar generosity to be given to the British people because the virus doesn’t care about politics or borders or any of these things.”

The first batch of Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in Ireland on Saturday. Photo: HSE / PA

“We all share the same human biology and it is so important that the incredible work that scientists have done internationally, including at Oxford University, and around the world, the fruits of that effort and knowledge and experience are shared along the way. that good science would try, and that means keeping all of our fellow citizens safe, alive and healthy. “

The first batch of Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in the Republic on Saturday.

The 21,600 strokes, which were transported from Belgium, will be delivered to healthcare workers starting Monday.

The state is using the other two approved vaccines, from Pfizer and Moderna, to vaccinate those over 70.

Most of those over 70 will be able to receive blows in surgery from their GP.

The GP practice launch begins Monday a week, and the age group over 85 is prioritized.

Another 55 Covid-19-related deaths were confirmed on Saturday, along with another 827 new confirmed cases of the virus.

As of 2 p.m. Saturday, 1,177 Covid-19 patients were being treated at the hospital, 177 of whom were in the ICU.

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