LISTEN: Health Minister welcomes progress on COVID-19 vaccine

By Q Radio News

The Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed the positive announcement by Pfizer and BioNTech on the preliminary analysis of a new Coronavirus vaccine.

But the Minister has cautioned the public not to “let down their guard” despite progress towards mass vaccination in 2021.

The Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine is one of a number of Covid vaccines under development and undergoing testing.

Mr Swann stated: “We have been waiting a long time for positive news. While there are very important regulatory and safety assurance hurdles to still be cleared, today represents a step forward.

Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed the positive announcement by Pfizer and BioNTech on the preliminary analysis of a new coronavirus #vaccine

➡️https://t.co/G0KiHshdX7 pic.twitter.com/sWmbO00hl5

— Department of Health (@healthdpt) November 9, 2020

“While there are no guarantees, there is a possibility that vaccination of at risk sections of our community could begin by the end of this year.

“However, I would appeal to everyone not to let down their guard just because there is some light at the end of this very long tunnel. It will likely be well into 2021 before a vaccine is generally available to the population – not least because mass global vaccination is a huge logistical challenge.

“As I have said before, we are in for a hard slog this winter – in terms of intense pressures on our health service and unavoidable restrictions on our daily lives.

“We all have to redouble our efforts – continue limiting our contacts and keeping our distance from each other; wear face coverings when required; and keep washing our hands.

“But let’s be positive about the future. The incredible progress to date on developing a vaccine - together with planned mass testing and improved treatments - means we can look towards next Spring with some hope. Pessimists keep telling us we will be locked into endless stop-start cycles of restrictions. I have faith that they will be proved wrong.” 

The UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an independent expert advisory group, will advise Government on which Covid-19 vaccine(s) should be used, and on the priority groups to receive the vaccine based on the best available clinical, modelling and epidemiological data.

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed news of a coronavirus vaccine breakthrough which can prevent more than 90 per cent of people getting COVID-19 but warned caution is needed as the detail of the vaccine and the logistics of any delivery are worked out.

Paula Bradshaw, alongside her Alliance Party leader Naomi Long

Developers Pfizer and BioNTech have tested the vaccine on 43,500 people in six countries and now plan to apply for approval to use it by the end of the month. South Belfast MLA Ms Bradshaw said challenges were still ahead with it.

“We were first made aware of preparations to deliver a vaccine to the most vulnerable people in the UK last week, and it is welcome we now have confirmation the trials have shown this vaccine provides not only protection from the virus, but it is otherwise entirely safe.

Paula Bradshaw speaking to Q Radio

“The challenge now is to work out exactly what kind and length of immunity this vaccine will offer, and how the logistics of meeting the orders requires will be handled. It should be emphasised the whole process, including distribution, will take many months even if all goes perfectly.

“For now we await the outcome of further safety tests and the detail of the protection offered. I note 30 million doses have been ordered by the UK Government, and we now require a four-nation agreement on how to take forward the logistics and ensure the most vulnerable are protected.

“This breakthrough re-emphasises the need to keep transmission rates low pending the delivery of the vaccine. I would urge the Executive to consider carefully its next steps with that in mind.”