Updated: 28 Dec 2020, 11:32
THE Covid-19 vaccine will be given to 20,000 Irish people per week from early January, according to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.
The first doses of the jab will be rolled out tomorrow as the State sets up immunisations sites in four acute hospitals - and HSE doctors say potential allergic reactions to the vaccine are not a major concern .
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Minister Donnelly said up to 20,000 people will be vaccinated per week from early JanuaryCredit: PA:Press Association
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HSE CCO Dr Colm Henry assured he has no major concern about allergic reactions to the vaccineCredit: PA:Press Association
St James’s and Beaumont hospitals in Dublin, Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway will be the first to receive the coronavirus vaccine this week.
Updated: 29 Dec 2020, 13:02
MET Eireann have issued a status yellow snow and ice warning for 13 counties which will come into effect at midnight.
Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford, Wicklow, Offaly, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford have been placed on alert.
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The counties under warningCredit: Met Eireann
The weather warning is valid from midnight tonight until 12pm tomorrow and reads: Risk of snow accumulations to lower levels.
Meanwhile, the UK Met Office has issued a similar warning for five counties in the North which will kick into effect earlier.
Valid from 3.00pm today until 11:59pm tomorrow, it applies to Antrim, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry.
Updated: 29 Dec 2020, 11:53
CONFIRMED Covid-19 patients in Irish hospitals have rocketed to 409 - their highest peak since May.
The number of patients being treated for the virus in hospital has also doubled in two weeks, rising from 198 on December 15, according to HSE s Covid-19 Data Hub.
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ICU figures as of last nightCredit: HSE
The data hub - accurate to 8am this morning - also shows that there have been 36 admissions to hospital in the last 24 hours, along with 14 discharges.
According to the HSE s daily operations update, as of yesterday at 8pm, the acute hospital site with the most Covid-19 patients is Beaumont with 67.
SHOT IN THE ARM!
First Covid-19 vaccines roll out in four Irish hospitals as state seeks to protect itself from potential compo cases
Updated: 28 Dec 2020, 21:34
THE first Covid vaccinations will take place in four hospitals across the country today as the state seeks to protect itself from potential compensation cases over adverse reactions.
Pfizer/BioNTech jabs will be issued at St James’s and Beaumont in Dublin, Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway under strict supervision.
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Tanaiste Varadkar says lockdown will be for long period Credit: PA:Press Association
It came as a senior health figure admitted that the delay in the vaccine rollout was due to a lingering fear of adverse reactions, even though the medication has been widely used in the US and Britain for weeks.
Updated: 29 Dec 2020, 10:10
MET EIREANN say some areas will be hit by sleet and snow tonight, as temperatures fall to around -3C.
Throughout the week ahead, the weather forecaster warns of sub-zero temperatures and widespread frost and ice by night .
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There will also be snow in some areasCredit: Meteologix
Today, meanwhile, will be cold and blustery with bright spells and scattered showers, some with hail and a risk of wintry falls over high ground.
Showers mainly across the western half of the country this morning will spread eastwards during the afternoon.
Highest temperatures will be between 4 to 6C in fresh and gusty northwest winds.