The Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee has said that the decision to advise against the use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for people over 70 was due to a low amount of data on its efficacy in older age groups.

Britain has launched a trial to assess the immune responses generated if doses of the Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech and AstraZeneca are combined in a two-shot schedule.

The European Commission is to seek further reassurances from authorities in Northern Ireland over the safety of EU customs and veterinary staff working at ports there, following reports of intimidation and graffiti near the ports.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is to fly to Moscow under pressure to confront the Kremlin over the jailing of Alexei Navalny and a crackdown on protesters.

A midlands-based company that converts ambulances for the HSE has told its workforce it will be laying them off for a three-week period because of problems with the supply of components from the UK.

The Air Corps has described its first aeromedical transfer of an ICU patient with Covid-19 as a "significant milestone".

An Irish woman living in Perth, Australia has described how she and her husband had to evacuate their home over out-of-control bushfires near the city.

German Health Minister Jens Spahn has suggested coronavirus restrictions could be lifted before spring, as case numbers in the country continued to edge downwards.

Canada has named the far-right Proud Boys group as a terrorist entity, saying it posed an active security threat and played a "pivotal role" in last month's attack on the US Capitol that left five people dead.

Breast cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer type in the world, scientists have said.

The number of new podcast launches mushroomed last year compared to 2019, a download-tracking firm has said, as listeners around the world adapted new habits during pandemic-induced lockdowns.

Australian Open organisers remain confident of starting the grand slam tournament on schedule on Monday.

A scheme allowing people sell home generated electricity to the national grid will require a "huge investment" in Ireland's electricity network, Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan has said.

The Department of Health has been notified of an additional 1,013 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, while 94 further deaths have also been recorded.

A 32-year-old woman who is seriously ill with cancer has settled her case against the HSE over the reading of her cervical smear tests.

Former England footballer Ian Wright has said he is "disappointed" and "tired" after an 18-year-old Kerry student was spared a criminal conviction for sending racist messages to him last year.

The Health Service Executive has said that its advice is that people over 70 should get the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines, rather than the AstraZeneca vaccine.

EU sources have expressed concern over the tone of Michael Gove's letter to his European Commission counterpart on changes the UK is demanding to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Swiss regulators have said that data submitted by AstraZeneca is not sufficient for them to authorise use of the company's Covid-19 vaccine and "new studies" are needed.

The nominations for the Golden Globe Awards have been announced, with Brendan Gleeson among the nominees in the TV categories for his portrayal of former US President Donald Trump in The Comey Rule, and Irish animated film Wolfwalkers also shortl...