Ivana Bacik
Ceist:692. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to enable persons who received a vaccine dose (details supplied) to select a different manufacturer for their second dose. [43697/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 15 September 2021
Ceisteanna (692)
Freagraí scríofa
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department.The HSE has been advised to operationalise updated NIAC guidance in relation to the mixing of vaccines, specifically relating to certain people who are yet to complete a two-dose Covid-19 vaccine regimen.The NIAC advice on heterologous vaccination relates to:
- those who are contraindicated from taking a second vaccine dose of a viral vector vaccine (e.g. had a severe reaction to the first dose of Vaxzevira® (AstraZeneca)) should be offered a second dose of an mRNA vaccine.
- those who have already had the first dose of Vaxzevria® and who did not complete the vaccination schedule as recommended should be offered an mRNA second dose in line with their priority grouping or age cohort.