Supply issues are behind slow rollout, not bungling Minister
STEPHEN DONNELLY has, without a shadow of doubt, underperformed in government. Too many times since he was invited to line out as one of the top 15 of Irish politics at the end of last June, he has appeared indecisive, ill-equipped, confused, not in charge and lacking direction.
Plus, his habit of starting off answers with ‘so’ is irritating beyond description and is a reminder of his consultancy-speak training that he would be well-advised to abandon.
We’re all tired with Covid restrictions, weary at the sight of empty town centres, shuttered shops, abandoned pubs, ghostly memories of great nights out and our children still about the place because they’ve neither jobs nor colleges to go to.
Understandably, the urgency to get vaccines into our arms is heightening – since that’s the only pathway out of this extraordinary crisis.
However, neither Stephen Donnelly nor the Government can be blamed for vaccine supply delays, because that’s all down to manufacturers, particularly AstraZeneca.
IT HAD committed to supplying 90million doses to the EU in the first quarter of this year but are struggling to deliver about a third of that. Hardly surprising, therefore, that our original hopes for 1.7million jabs by the end of March had to be curtailed, first to about 1.24million and then reduced further to about 1.1million, if we’re lucky.
As regards structural vaccine rollout issues within Donnelly’s control, it’s clear he’s doing the business. Data published by the European Centre for Disease Control shows that Ireland achieved 10% first dose, jabs in arms, in the first week of March, well ahead of most EU countries. This compares with 7.5% in Germany and Italy, and 7.4% in France. Denmark, despite reports of rapid-fire vaccinations, was at 11.5%.
We’re also out in front when it comes to full vaccinations, again ahead of the three big states in the bloc.
Also, there are now 37 mass vaccination centres throughout the country waiting to get going, subject only to supplies. HSE chief Paul Reid says 3.8million doses will be delivered here between April and the end of June, including 600,000 from Johnson & Johnson whose single-dose, refrigeration-only vaccine was approved for use this week.
However, that projection is wrapped in uncertainty as Johnson & Johnson has already indicated to the EU that ‘supply issues’ may impact delivery.
The problems of supply in Ireland and the EU are nothing compared to difficulties facing poorer regions of the world, after North America and Europe snaffled the limited early stock, 1.5billion and 2billion respectively.
The New York Times has reported how the vaccination rate in North America has now passed 17%, and over 10% in Europe. This compares to about 5% in South America and under 3% in Asia. Africa hasn’t even hit 1% yet.
THE international deal, Covax, which aims to distribute 2billion doses to low and middle-income countries, hasn’t a prayer while supply difficulties afflict shipments to the wealthier regions. Crumbs from the rich man’s table.
And failure to vaccinate the entire world will impose a $152bn penalty on global economic output, according to RAND Corporation.
Despite the disappointment at the speed of the rollout, Ireland is fortunate to be at the top table. Going it alone in search of supplies would have been hazardous and unlikely to have produced better results.
Criticising politicians like Stephen Donnelly or other members of the Government for vaccine supply glitches lacks integrity and devalues the currency of legitimate political criticism.
It’s only attack for the sake of it.