Northern Ireland’s First Minister has said a Covid vaccine producer raised concerns with her around the potential impact of the NI Protocol on the supply of medicines to the region from Great Britain.
There is a grace period of a year on checks on medicines moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under the post-Brexit arrangements.
Arlene Foster said AstraZeneca raised the matter in a meeting with her on Friday.
The meeting came before the EU moved to place temporary export controls on any Covid-19 vaccines moving from the bloc into Northern Ireland.
The AstraZeneca Covid vaccine (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
Northern Ireland’s First Minister has said a Covid vaccine producer raised concerns with her around the potential impact of the NI Protocol on the supply of medicines to the region from Great Britain.
There is a grace period of a year on checks on medicines moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under the post-Brexit arrangements.
Arlene Foster said AstraZeneca raised the matter in a meeting with her on Friday.
The meeting came before the EU moved to place temporary export controls on any Covid-19 vaccines moving from the bloc into Northern Ireland.
The AstraZeneca Covid vaccine (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
Health Minister Robin Swann said: “This is sadly the confirmation we had been expecting.
“As I have stated from the outset of this pandemic, we have to avoid both panic and complacency.
“We all have to redouble our efforts to stop the virus spreading. We know how to do this – cut down our contacts with others, ensure strict social distancing, wash our hands regularly and thoroughly, and wear a face covering.”
Chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride added: “While virus mutation is not uncommon, the potential of this new strain to spread rapidly is cause for serious concern.
“I would advise the public to act on the assumption that it is already well established in Northern Ireland and that the person they pass in the street or stand next to in a queue may have it.”
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