Minister for Health announces the allocation strategy for COVID-19 vaccines
The strategy prioritises those over the age of 65 living in long-term care facilities, frontline healthcare workers who are in direct patient contact and those aged 70 and over.
Minister Stephen Donnelly also announced that there should be no barrier to people accessing a vaccine, and therefore the vaccine programme will be available free of charge to everyone in Ireland.
Speaking after the announcement, Mr Donnelly said that, while we await news on whether these vaccines comply with all of the EMA’s requirements of quality, safety and efficacy, the Government has been working ahead on plans for the roll-out of vaccines.
“A key part of the roll-out will be ensuring that those most vulnerable to Covid-19 receive vaccinations first,” he said. “Given the country’s experience with Covid-19 to date and the risks that vulnerable people and those in frontline roles in the health and social care services continue to face, it is only right that they are prioritised in the allocation of vaccines.”
Research finds that consumers don’t trust smart home technologies
Researchers from Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Warwick have found that consumers don’t fully trust new smart home technologies due to fears over security breaches.
Smart home technologies are an emerging market, with some households installing voice-controlled appliances and smart security.
The findings suggest consumers were anxious about the likelihood of a security incident, as overall the people surveyed were unconvinced that their privacy and security will not be at risk when they use smart home devices.
When asked to evaluate the impact of a privacy breach the respondents tended to disagree that its impact will be low, suggesting they expect the impact of a privacy breach to be significant.
The research was led by WMG, University of Warwick and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Warwick, and supported by Queen’s Management School.
The research team surveyed 2,101 participants aged 16-74 years old across the UK using an online questionnaire.
Family-friendly Christmas Drive Thru event at gluten free bakery
Set in a traditional 1700s thatched cottage, the Spinning Wheel Gluten Free bakery are hosting a free family friendly Christmas drive through.
The bakery is inviting you to “come and taste our treats while taking in the Christmas atmosphere on 19th of December between 4 pm and 7 pm”.
Based in Co. Offaly, the Spinning wheel is offering a wide range of gluten free sweets and treats.
To attend, book the number of tickets you’ll want sweet treats for (the number of people in your car), while walk-in entries are allowed as long as current guidelines are followed.
Wear your favourite Christmas jumper and enjoy a sweet treat drive through style – something for the whole family!
For more information, visit here.