Chief medical officer hails NI vaccination programme as a lifesaver
LIVES are being saved as a result of our Covid-19 vaccination programme, the chief medical officer has said.
Speaking at a weekly Department of Health Press conference yesterday, Dr Michael Mcbride said the rollout of the vaccine is contributing to a decline in the number of hospital patients dying from the virus.
More than 500,000 doses have been administered to 478,000 people so far, and health officials have announced more appointment slots are being made available for people over 65 and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.
However Patricia Donnelly, who heads up the vaccination programme here, raised concerns that some groups of people are not taking up the offer of the jab.
In particular, she said younger women appear to be more hesitant about it amid concerns over fertility.
Health Minister Robin Swann hit out at organisations that have been handing out “dangerous leaflets” with false information about the vaccines.
Last week the Belfast Telegraph revealed that the World Health Organisation had said misinformation is putting “lives at risk” after local anti-abortionists warned people against taking the vaccine.
Pro-life group Precious Life has produced a leaflet warning of the dangers of “rushed vaccines”, which says that anyone who receives one of the jabs will “effectively be human guinea pigs”.
It also suggests the vaccines are not required as Covid-19 mainly affects older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions.
Mr Swann said: “We are aware of organisations going around and leafleting to try and detract from people actually taking the Covid vaccination.
“In regards to spreading false information, the World Health Organisation has actually commented on those leaflets and has actually said they will cost lives.
“So I make a public call to those organisations who are distributing those very dangerous leaflets, and those individuals, to cease and desist.
“Because if the World Health Organisation has assessed their information and the information they are now distributing throughout Northern Ireland, and their assessment is it will cost lives, I’ll ask them to consider their actions and the effect they will have.”
Commenting on the impact of the vaccination programme so far, the chief medical officer said the community infection rate remains “stubbornly high”.
However, he added that there has been a “significant decline in deaths from Covid” in hospitals here.
Dr Mcbride described the development as “welcome news”.
He said it is as a result of the lockdown and the rollout of the vaccine.
He added: “It is increasingly an impact of the vaccination programme which is reducing cases in the community and protecting those most at risk of severe disease and those most at risk of death.”
‘There has been a decline in Covid deaths in hospitals’