Ireland is behind other countries in listing the people who will get the Covid-19 vaccine first, although it is strongly signalled it will be older age groups, healthcare workers and people with conditions such as heart disease. Heart disease, respiratory disease, chronic neurological disease, kidney disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer all increased people’s risk of hospitalisation and ending up in intensive care. It is expected ‘high risk’ and ‘moderate risk’ will be part of the evaluation. There have been eight deaths among healthcare workers and a significant proportion pick it up at work, with others getting infected outside. In Italy, healthcare workers, older people and those with underlying conditions will be first.

Source: Irish Independent November 23, 2020 15:56 UTC