Oxford jab benefits far outweigh risks, insists top medic
NORTHERN Ireland’s top doctor has urged people to come forward for their Covid jabs amid concerns over apparent links between blood clots and the Oxford/astrazeneca vaccine.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael Mcbride said the risk was “extremely low”, as the vaccination programme was extended to all those aged between 40 and 44 here.
Around 14,000 appointments were booked within two hours of it being opened yesterday.
Those under the age of 30 in Northern Ireland are to be offered an alternative jab to the Oxford/astrazeneca vaccine.
The same offer is being made in other parts of the UK.
The CMO said the potential risk of blood clot complications is very low.
“The expert advice is clear: the benefits of the Astrazeneca vaccine far outweigh any potential risk for the vast majority of adults,” he explained.
“The potential risk from this rare blood clotting condition is extremely low and a definite link to vaccination has not yet been established.”
He pointed out that the “risk/ benefit calculation is different” for those aged under 30, “due to the reduced threat posed to this age group by Covid and the availability of other vaccines”.
“For the rest of us, it is essential to understand that Covid-19 represents a much greater risk,” continued Dr Mcbride.
“Covid-19 has claimed many lives in Northern Ireland and left many others with debilitating long-term health issues.
“It is also the case that Covid infection itself brings an increased risk of blood clots.”
Praising the positive impact of the Oxford/astrazeneca vaccines, which in “no small measure have ensured that Northern Ireland is in a much better position than it was at the start of the year”.
“It (the vaccine) will continue to have a vital role in saving lives, reducing hospitalisations and helping us move out of lockdown,” he added.
“Like hundreds of thousands of other people in Northern Ireland, I was very pleased and relieved to receive my first Astrazeneca dose. I am looking forward to receiving my second jab when my turn comes.”
According to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory
Agency, the likelihood of developing a clot is “about four in a million”.
The watchdog said it had received 79 reports of clots up to the end of March.
Of these cases, 19 people died, but every cause of death has yet to be established.
Dr Mcbride’s appeal comes as two further Covid-related deaths and 98 new cases were recorded yesterday within the last 24 hours, according to the Department of Health, bringing the death toll to 2,123.
Yesterday there were 102 Covid-19 patients in hospitals, with 12 in an intensive care unit, with 21 of the beds remaining unoccupied.
There were also five active outbreaks of the virus in care homes, according to official statistics recorded yesterday.
Health Minister Robin Swann described the expansion as “very welcome news to people in this age group”.
“Vaccination is by far our best defence against Covid-19 and is essential to our goal of getting Northern Ireland out of lockdown on a sustainable basis,” he said.
So far official figures show that almost a million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered across Northern Ireland, and of that a total of 799,410 have been first doses, while 173,772 have been follow-up jabs.