BRITAIN is planning to offer 3.7million Covid jabs to Ireland — to avoid more cases emerging in Northern Ireland.
It is feared that a third Covid-19 wave could hit the rest of the UK if the Irish don’t receive more jabs, as people could travel across the border once restrictions are lifted.
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Public Health Officials in Northern Ireland have also warned No 10 of the dangers of lifting lockdown given the slower vaccination rate in the Irish Republic.
The vaccine programme co-ordinated by Brussels on behalf of its member states, has made slower progress than the UK – amid threats from the EU to block exports of vaccines and their ingredients.
It would be the first time the UK has exported vaccines to the EU and could help ease tensions with other countries in the European Union.
Discussions are said to have taken place between the Cabinet Office in London and Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis.
The UK may also send surplus jabs to other EU countries later this year, the Sunday Times reported.
Whitehall sources have said the poor vaccine programme in France and Germany has raised fears there could be a rise in extremist parties – and that French nationalist Marine Le Pen could be boosted in her election campaign against Emmanuel Macron.
