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Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 April 2021

Thursday, 22 April 2021

Ceisteanna (130, 133)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

130. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if an alternative vaccine will be immediately provided to those in the 60-69 years of age cohort who are not recommended to take a vaccine (details supplied) due to past medical history; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20892/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Ring

Ceist:

133. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the vaccination option available to persons aged 60-69 who have been advised by their general practitioner not to take a vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20895/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 133 together.

On 7 April 2021, the European Medicine Agency (EMA) announced that they had concluded an investigation into a number of very rare, unusual blood clots occurring with low platelets in people following vaccination with Vaxzevria (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca). The EMA’s safety committee (PRAC) concluded that unusual blood clots with low blood platelets should be listed as very rare side effects of Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca but that the benefits of this vaccine continue to outweigh the risks.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) announced revisions to the recommendations for the use of Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca. In line with these recommendations,

- All of those aged 60 years and older can get any authorised COVID-19 vaccine, including Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca;

- Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca is not recommended for those aged under 60 years including those with medical conditions with very high or high risk of severe COVID-19 disease;

- For people who have already received Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca:

- Those aged 60 years and older should continue to receive their second dose 12 weeks later as scheduled,

- Those aged under 60 years with an underlying condition (those identified in cohort 4 and cohort 7) should continue to receive their second dose 12 weeks later as scheduled,

- Those aged under 60 years with no underlying condition (therefore not identified in cohort 4 and cohort 7) should have the scheduled interval between their first and second doses extended to 16 weeks to allow for further assessment of the benefits and risks as more evidence becomes available,

- Those who have developed unusual blood clots with low platelets after the first dose of Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca should not be given a second dose.

The Department of Health will continue to monitor the roll-out of Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca in Ireland and internationally in collaboration with the HPRA and the NIAC. The Department of Health, the HSE and the High-Level Taskforce will now work together to ensure that these updated recommendations are incorporated into the ongoing implementation of the vaccination programme.

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