BMA hits out over ‘appalling’ plan to stall on second jab
THE decision to delay the second Covid-19 vaccine for thousands of local healthcare workers has been branded “appalling”.
A leading doctor has launched a blistering attack on plans to delay the administration of the second dose of Pfizer/biontech vaccine in response to the spiralling number of cases.
Dr Tom Black, chair of the British Medical Association (BMA) in Northern Ireland, said, the controversial decision is putting lives at risk and health professionals have lost confidence in the government as a result.
The change in policy was announced last week and aims to allow more people to receive a first dose of the vaccine, providing more people with a degree of immunity.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael Mcbride said the plan “will deliver the greatest benefit in the shortest possible time”.
Opinion on the policy is split, but Dr Black said the BMA cannot rule out legal action after it was inundated by concerned members.
“The legal route is not something we want to do, but it is something we may have to look at,” he said.
“It’s appalling, I’m astounded that I am even having to discuss this.”
The Pfizer/biontech vaccine has been rolled out locally to healthcare workers and care home staff and residents.
The manufacturers advise that the second dose should be administered three weeks after the first in order to maximise immunity.
However, healthcare workers will now wait between 10 and 12 weeks to receive their second dose.
Dr Black added: “Our reaction to that is that it is against the advice from Pfizer and against the advice of the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), while Dr
Anthony Fauci (leading US immunologist) doesn’t think it’s sensible.
“As far as the BMA is concerned, there is no proven immunity beyond 42 days, and even the Department of Health is saying ‘we are of the opinion that immunity will persist’.
“It’s just opinion, there are no facts, no data and no evidence, it even goes against the guidance from Pfizer.
“The BMA has 159,000 members who are doctors across the UK, many of them are specialists in virology, epidemiology, public health and vaccine research, and they can’t tell us we will be protected.
“The advice is the second dose should be administered at 21 days.
“Anything else suggests a willingness to risk the wellbeing and lives of healthcare workers.
“We have lost trust and confidence in the four governments.”
Dr Black said it is believed health professionals may be held responsible if anyone who does not receive a second dose at the three-week mark subsequently comes to harm.
He also raised concerns that potential supply issues may result in people not receiving a second dose within 12-weeks.
The BMA met with Health Minister Robin Swann yesterday to appeal for him to reverse the decision.
Dr Black said: “We have asked him to step outside the four countries because Northern Ireland’s immunisation programme is completely different.
“Healthcare workers have put themselves at such risk throughout this year and this isn’t the way to repay them for the hard work and sacrifices they have made for the health service.
“This needed to be sorted out today. In my 27 years as a BMA representative, I have never dealt with such fury and disappointment in the profession.”
The Department of Health was contacted for comment.