Effects of NI vaccination programme will not be felt until spring, warns health minister

A local chaplain to Antrim Area Hospital who recently spoke about this devastating experiences administering to patients dying with COVID-19

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Subscribe              Jan 14, 2021           Dear reader,   The vaccination programme has been in operation in Northern Ireland since last month, but Health Minister Robin Swann issued a stark warning on Thursday that its effects will not be seen until the spring.    Speaking to the Stormont Health Committee, Mr Swann said over 100,000 doses of the vaccine have now been administered here, but wanted that it would "probably be early spring before we see the effects of the vaccination programme".    Thursday brought another heart-breaking story of a woman who lost her life to Covid-19.    Tributes were paid to Kelli McCaw from Galgorm in Co Antrim, who died on January 12 with the virus.   The Department of Health has confirmed that another 16 people with Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland over the last 24 hours. In addition, another 973 infections were recorded in the last 24 hours.  Alistair Bushe   Editor Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier.  We also have a special offer for you - 21% off all our monthly or annual subscription packages - when you use the code 21NEWYEAR between now and Sunday, January 17. Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our Subscriptions page here.           Cleric who administers to dying patients with COVID in NI hospital has tested positive - 'Please pray for me'           A local chaplain to Antrim Area Hospital who recently spoke about this devastating experiences administering to patients dying with COVID-19                 New nasal swab which will give Covid results in 12 minutes to be introduced in NI hospitals   A new rapid test for Covid-19 is rolling out to all Trust Emergency Departments across Northern Ireland in the coming week.           Female health workers 'targeted by anti-vaccine protesters' as they received their jabs - told it would 'affect their fertility'   Northern Ireland's health minister has expressed concern at an incident where some young women were reportedly targeted by anti-vaccine protesters.           Whiteabbey Nightingale unit treats over 60 people inside first two months   Sixty-three Covid patients have been treated at Whiteabbey Hospital's Nightingale facility in Newtownabbey since it opened in November, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has stated.           LIVE BLOG: PSNI officers and fire fighters driving ambulances to help ease pressure on NI health service   PSNI officers and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIAFRS) firefighters are helping to ease the pressure on the health service in Northern Ireland by driving ambulances, Health Minister Robin Swann told the Stormont Health Committee on Thursday morning.           EDITORIAL: Cancellation of AQE transfer test is not a surprise but will have long term consequences   News Letter editorial of January 14 2021:           Visiting suspended at two NI hospitals due to 'unprecedented demand'   Around 240 COVID patients are being treated in Craigavon and Daisy Hill hospitals, a 'record number' said the Southern Trust.           Andy Murray tests positive for coronavirus ahead of Australian Open   Scots tennis star Andy Murray has tested positive for Covid-19, just weeks ahead of the Australian Open.           Blow for Irish road racing as plethora of meetings cancelled in the Republic of Ireland   This year's Irish road racing calendar is set to be decimated once again following confirmation that a host of national events in the Republic of Ireland have been cancelled.           Rangers offer Ibrox as base for vaccinations in fight against coronavirus   Rangers have offered up their facilities to both the UK and Scottish Government in the bid to fight coronavirus.           A new Covid variant from Brazil has been found - but is it more infectious?   A new measure banning travel from Brazil to the UK could be imposed as early as today (14 January) over fears of a new strain of coronavirus borne from the South American country.                 View more news

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