Cancelled vaccination appointments to be rescheduled

A vaccination clinic planned for this afternoon (Tuesday)in Our Lady's Hospital in Navan was able to proceed, although thousands of vaccinations around the country planned for today had to be cancelled, following the latest advice on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Last night (Tuesday), the Department of Health said the vaccine should not be given to people aged under 60 because of the rare risk of blood clots.

Today's vaccinations at Our Lady's Hospital were able to proceed because they were not using the AstraZeneca vaccine, but the hospital is awaiting clarifications from the HSE regarding the further delivery of vaccines.

The decision not to use the Astra Zeneca drug in the under 60s was based on a recommendation by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac), prompted by reports across Europe of unusual but severe clotting events as very rare side-effects.

Last night, the HSE wrote to Hospital Groups and Community Healthcare Organisations to advise that all AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics planned for today, should be cancelled.

A spokesperson said they would be in contact with patients to rearrange their appointment.

Meanwhile students across the country returned to school yesterday, many of them back for the first time since the Christmas holidays.

Their return marked the final phase of the Government’s plan to have school children back to face-to-face learning, following a phased return throughout the last month.

From Monday 12th, people can now travel within their own county or within 20km of their home if near a county boundary.

Households are allowed meet up with one another outdoors, but not in each other's gardens, while construction sites for residential and childcare facility projects re-opened.

Last night there were two people being treated for Covid-19 in Our Lady's Hospital in Navan along with two suspected cases.

Seven cases of the virus were being treated in hospital in Drogheda, with one of those in critical care.

Meanwhile, public health officials have confirmed that 18 more people have died with Covid-19 in Ireland.

Of the deaths reported today, seven occurred in April, three occurred in March, three occurred in February and three occurred in January. One death was reported as occurring before January.

Additionally, 358 more cases of Covid-19 have been reported, 12 of them in Meath.

The total number of Covid-19 cases now stands at 241,684 and the number of people who have died has reached 4,803.

Of the cases notified today:

163 are men and 192 are women

73 per cent are under 45 years of age

The median age is 31 years old

166 cases are in Dublin, 39 are in Donegal, 16 are in Kildare, 13 are in Offaly, 12 are in Meath, 12 are in Limerick and the remaining 100 cases are spread across 18 other counties.

As of 8am today, 205 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 48 are in ICU. There has been 11 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

As of 11 April, 1,063,666 doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland. A total of 749,450 people have received their first dose and 314,216 people have received their second dose.