Meat plant workers could be among f irst to get jab

Boots test for Christmas visit... at €139

MEAT factory workers could be among those prioritised when the vaccine is rolled out.

Approval of the Pfizer vaccine in this country is expected by the end of the month, with plans for nationwide mass vaccination.

A Covid-19 vaccination taskforce will deliver a plan to Government on December 11, and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that workers in ‘high-risk environments’ are likely to be next in line for the vaccine after those in the most at-risk category. ‘I do not believe it will be rocket science,’ said Mr Varadkar.

The Tánaiste said that there is an understanding that ‘those who will be prioritised include those who need the vaccine the most’.

The initial group to receive the vaccine will include healthcare workers. Residents in nursing homes, the elderly and those with chronic disease will also be among the first to be vaccinated.

Meat plants were linked to a high number of clusters and outbreaks of the virus during the

FAMILY members desperate to visit loved ones this Christmas can get their own Covid test.

Boots chemists are offering a ‘gold-standard’ check from today – but at a cost of €139.

The PCR Covid-19 test, the same pandemic. Mr Varadkar told the Dáil yesterday. ‘Perhaps people who work in high-risk environments, such as meat factories, will also be prioritised,’ he said.

CEO of the HSE Paul Reid said as the one the HSE uses, will be available in-store at seven Boots Ireland pharmacies: in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kildare, Meath, Offaly and Donegal.

The company said it is aimed at customers who do not have that news of the vaccine has given the nation and the world an ‘increased sense of hope’ but warned that this does not mean people should let their guard down. ‘The vaccine will not be our symptoms, and they can expect to have their results the following day. It said this is being done on the back of the Government’s decision to introduce the EU Traffic Light system for international travel. first line of defence for now or for some time to come. It is a great boost and a great part of our defence but it will be some time before it’s our first and main line of defence. The high risk and concern from us from a HSE perspective is that the public do perceive it that way and we lose the great basic principles of what has done us so well for a whole year of 2020. So it is key that we sustain those basic principles, doing the simple things that work well,’ he said.

Last night Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said he was ‘concerned about vaccine misinformation,’ noting that is was a ‘growing issue’ in this country.

The Government has said it will mount an effective communications campaign to encourage those who are ‘hesitant’ about the vaccine to take it.