Vaccination, argues one well-placed source, is always vital – however, “it’s not essential to the political life of the country”. That means extra scrutiny and pressure on the individuals and organisations charged with managing the pandemic, including groups such as the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac). It is currently considering whether two Covid-19 vaccines can be widely administered to people under 50. Like many other groups, Niac is a pre-pandemic institution grappling with the intensity and pressure of the virus. This has been compounded by what some in Government see as the stately progress Niac makes when considering its advice.

Source: The Irish Times May 11, 2021 00:00 UTC