Kildare Senator Calls For Clarity On Administration Of AstraZeneca Covid 19 Vaccine.

Thursday, 3 June 2021 16:20

By Ciara Plunkett @plunkettciara

NIAC recommends during duration between doses from 12 to 8 weeks.

A Kildare Senator is calling for clarity on the administration of the AstraZeneca Covid 19 vaccine.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee has advised reducing the gap between doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

It has recommended 8 week intervals instead of the current 12 weeks.

The advice could see thousands of people who've had a first dose fully vaccinated sooner.

The recommendation, to the Chief Medical Officer, has gone to the HSE which is now considering implementation.

📢Senator Mark Wall calls on Minister for Health to clarify plan for AstraZeneca vaccine

This is a welcome development from NIAC but we need clarity on whether the shorter 8 week gap between doses will now be implemented? @labour
Full statement 👇https://t.co/nX7QeOEDWu
— Senator Mark Wall (@MarkWall1) June 3, 2021

Kildare Senator Mark Wall says "This is a welcome development from NIAC but we need clarity on whether the shorter 8 week gap between doses will now be implemented?The evidence from a Public Health England study is clear, the first dose of AstraZeneca only provides 33% protection against the new delta variant that first appeared in India. This has caused so much concern with people in the 60-69 aged cohort and their families, and the increasing incidence of the new variant that is causing such concern.

"They are worried and their families are worried. The advice from the experts is now clear.

"These people waiting for their second dose, are likely to be the most vulnerable, will have to wait the longest to be fully vaccinated and are at risk from new variants.

"With this clear recommendation from NPHET and NIAC we need clarity from the Minister for Health if he will act to implement this new advice."