Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
3179. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of adverse reactions reported in Ireland following the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40583/21]
View answer3326. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have reported serious cardiac related side effects via the HPRA Covid-19 Vaccine Adverse Reaction Reporting Form, after vaccination with the MRNA vaccines manufactured by companies (details supplied); the analysis that his Department has carried out into this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41349/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 3179 and 3326 together.
Up to 7 July, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) received 11,445 reports describing suspected side effects in association with COVID-19 vaccines, of which 6,011 were in association with mRNA vaccines (Comirnaty and Spikevax (previously COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna)), 5,361 in association with Adenoviral vector vaccines (Vaxzevria and Covid-19 Vaccine Janssen) and 73 reports were in association with vaccines where the brand was not known or provided at the time of reporting.
The majority of regularly reported suspected side effects are consistent with the types of events typically observed following vaccination, including those described in the product information for the individual vaccines. Whilst not experienced by everyone, all vaccines have some side effects, the vast majority of which are mild to moderate in nature. These side effects need to be continuously balanced against the benefits in preventing COVID-19 illness. Overall, the national reporting experience continues to support the favourable assessment that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh the risks.
The HPRA has been publishing regular public safety updates on reporting experience with the COVID-19 vaccines, including information on the numbers and nature of these reports. To date, nine such updates have been published and are accessible from the HPRA website (www.hpra.ie/homepage/medicines/covid-19-updates/covid-19-vaccine-communications) with the most recent publication issued on 15th July.
