With AstraZeneca approved late last week, and around a million doses due to reportedly hit these shores in April, we’ve been asking here on the Hard Shoulder who is going to administer them all? There have been calls for volunteer vaccinators, and from messages we’ve received here on the show, it seems many have applied, but not that many will get to actually vaccinated. So what is happening? Graham Fry is founder and lead medical consultant at the Tropical Medical Bureau, and he joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to convey his frustrations.

Highlights from The Hard Shoulder

"I don't think we'll get to 250,000 vaccines a week..."

This week on our Consumer Corner, Sinead Ryan, consumer expert and presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk, joined Kieran to discuss home insurance - best options, how to choose the best for your needs and take your questions. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Consumer Corner: Home Insurance

Women in Ireland have received half the number of penalty points than their male counterparts, according to CSO figures.  Speeding and driving while using a mobile are the top reasons for receiving penalty points, so should women get rewards for safer driving? I am now joined by motoring journalist Geraldine Herbert. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Women are safer drivers: Should they be rewarded?

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Ronan Glynn has urged people to "do just that little bit more" to fight Covid-19. But, lots of people who feel they can't do any more were frustrated by his comments. We spoke to some of them today including Paul Hosford, Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Correspondent with the Sunday Independent, David Hall Owner of Lifeline Ambulances and Sheila O’Flanagan, Author. As well as, Paul Treyvaud, Restaurant Owner and Mary McKenna Managing Director, Tour America and Cruise Holidays.

Can you do any more to fight Covid-19?

As we all now know, the EMA declared that the AstraZeneca vaccine is now safe. This has meant that many countries around Europe have already begun distributing it to their citizens. Stefan de Keersmaecker, European Commission spokesperson on Public Health joined Kieran to give his view on the AstraZeneca vaccine after the EU regulator declared the vaccine safe. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

EC Spokesperson On Public Health Gives His View On The AstraZeneca Vaccine.

However tough the past year has been for all of us, it’s challenged those facing a higher risk, due to underlying conditions, such as Cystic Fibrosis, even more. And, here in Ireland we have one of the highest rates of Cystic Fibrosis across the world. So, the work of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland is never done. Maria Driscoll’s husband Kevin suffered from Cystic Fibrosis. She told us about the important work they do along with Louise Galvin, Ireland rugby player, Kerry GAA footballer and Cystic Fibrosis Ireland ambassador. You can support the by donating online at 65RosesDay.ie or by taking part in a 65 Roses Team Challenge.

Cystic Fibrosis - Coping with the challenges of the past year

Vaccines, and their roll out is all anyone can think about lately. And for the Guards and prison officers working on the front lines it's a major concern. But, so far they are in the dark. We spoke to Antoinette Cunnigham, general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants & Inspectors, and Gabriel Keaveny, Assistant General Secretary of the Prison officers Association to find out more.

Should Gardaí be moved up the vaccine list?

Minister of State Josepha Madigan has come under fire for her suggestion that 'The Kerryman' newspaper change its name to something more gender neutral. Words like 'Chairman' and 'Spokeman' contribute to gender inequality according to the Minister. But, Chairman of the Communications Clinic Terry Prone doesn't see it that way and told us why...

Should we use more gender neutral language?

As news came through that AstraZeneca has been overwhelmingly approved by the EMA, Euronews' Shona Murray gave Kieran on the latest on the decision, while Indepedent TD for Wexford Verona Murphy told Kieran why she was confused as to why the logistics of rolling out this vaccine seem to be so tricky.

AstraZeneca has been approved

Sixteen people have been arrested today for failing to comply with directions from the Gardai when it comes to Covid-19 restrictions. The Gardai say the vast majority of people at the Anti lockdown protests are complying with lockdown rules. Henry McKean was at a protest at the GPO in Dublin where he witnessed many people who travelled across Ireland getting arrested. Meanwhile Paul O’Donoghue followed the protests at RTE and Herbert Park.

Arrests at anti lockdown Dublin St Patrick's Day Protests

Every week on The Hard Shoulder we're joined by Newstalk’s own Simon Tieney for our series ‘Dictators’. Each week, Simon brings us a look into the world of a dictator, and in this episode we hear about the former Brazilian leader Emílio Médici.

Emílio Médici

Should we be teaching our kids about grief and death from a young age? That's the question they asked on Newstalk Breakfast this morning. Stephen Teap, widowed father of two, explained why he thinks bereavement classes would be a good idea.

Stephen Teap on bereavement classes for kids

Alan Kelly joined Kieran Cuddihy to ask why a one-week pause in the AstraZeneca vaccine rollout delay Cohort 4 by up to a month? It has been suggested that the first round of thousands of vulnerable people will be delayed because of the suspension of the vaccine, pending the EMA's decision due on Thursday. Kiearn and Deputy Kelly discuss why the 30,000 delayed vaccines couldn't be administered alongside next week's vaccines, considering the HSE has said it will be able to carry out 250,000 vaccinations per week when we have the available supply.

Why would a one-week pause in AstraZeneca delay the rollout by a month?

A few messages and tweets into the show over the last couple of days, talking about the increase in the amount of cars on the road. This, of course, is linked to schools returning, in full, this week. Should we be making a renewed effort to find ways to encourage people to walk or cycle, rather than drive? Senator Pauline O’Reilly, leader for the Green Party in the Seanad, joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder, as did Martina Callinan of the Galway Cycling Campaign.

What is the impact of more cars being on the road?

There's been warnings from NPHET that family interactions are driving transmission.  Dr Ray Walley, Member of the National COVID-19 GP Liaison Committee, explains why people may be letting their guard down, and also addressed concerns that the HSE is guilty of victim shaming if they use an example of an outbreak at the press conference.

Ray Walley: it wasn't about victim-shaming, it's about educating people

Highlights from Ivan Yates on The Hard Shoulder