Irish Examiner view: Delay hardly surprising, if unfortunate

Another delay in the fight against the Coronavirus

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has recommended that the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine be temporarily sidelined following a report from the Norwegian Medicines Agency of four new reports of serious blood clotting.  Picture: Marc O'Sullivan

It may not, as the British monarchy circles the barouches after its latest intergenerational embarrassment, seem helpful to point to one of Imperial Britain's most popular poets to try to encourage Ireland's health administrators and workers struggling to deliver vaccines.

Despite the latest setback — the weekend decision to temporarily defer the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine — Rudyard Kipling's 1909 If — If you can keep your head when all about you, Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too... " seems apt. And more than a tad steadying at a moment when those predisposed to criticism are re-energised. The piece's message is pertinent too for those ready to enthusiastically accept a vaccine — the great majority — when the opportunity arrives.