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»»Alternative jabs for older group, Taoiseach reveals »»Blow as 400,000 doses expected here within weeks
TAOISEACH Micheal Martin said last night the Government will not be giving the Astrazeneca vaccine to the over 70s here.
The health service has recommended that those in that age bracket should get the Pfizer and Moderna jabs instead.
The news comes just weeks ahead of an expected delivery of 400,000 doses of the Oxfordastrazeneca vaccine here.
Mr Martin said: “The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) issued advice on late Sunday evening.
“The Chief Medical Officer
(CMO) then considered that and wrote to the Minister for Health.
“And basically the position is, all three vaccines are safe and effective, but, given the higher efficacy data around the MRMA vaccines, namely the Pfizer/biontech and Moderna, the CMO is recommending that we use them when practical and timely for over 70s, that they would be more effective more quickly.
“And given that the over 70s are the most vulnerable to death and to illness if they get Covid, the recommendation is that we apply those vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer, to the over 70s, and that is what is going to happen. “That will mean a change in terms of the operation of the plan and it will be a significant challenge to the HSE.
“They’re currently working through the implications of this.,” he told Matt Cooper on The Last Word on Today FM last night.
The Department of Health said last night that all approved vaccines including the Astrazeneca jab – can be used in adults of all ages, including those over 70. However, it added that the Pfizer Biontech and Moderna vaccines would be preferable for the over 70s where possible.
Earlier, HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines give greater protection to older people.
He said the advice came from the European Medicines Agency, via the
National Immunisation Advisory Committee.
A number of other European countries have decided not to use the Astrazeneca vaccine in those over 65 due to concerns about efficacy.
Sinn Fein’s health spokesperson David Cullinane TD said the announcement presents “serious challenges.” He added: “It is a major setback as this vaccine is far easier to store.
“This will present logistical challenges for GPS.”
NIAC has said that any authorised COVID vaccine can be given to adults of all ages, including those aged 70 years and older.
Oxford Vaccine Group director Andrew Pollard told
RTE that more data on older people should be available within weeks with the completion of a US trial and early results from the UK’S vaccination drive.
Dr Henry said the vaccination of over 70s will begin in mid February.
He said: “We will go through the sequence of priorities as laid out by NIAC as closely as we can.
“The Astrazeneca is a very effective vaccine.
“Information coming through from the UK is showing more robust evidence of a good response and good reduction in COVID illness in people long after they get the first dose at the order of 72% and over 80% after the second vaccine. It’s a good vaccine.
“At this point in time there’s a lack of evidence in older people, that may change in time.”
The EMA gave the Oxford-astrazeneca vaccine the green light for use in all age groups just last week.
Dr Henry admitted the decision not to use the Astrazeneca vaccine in older people made the rollout more “tricky.”
He told RTE that GPS are key vaccinators for older people.
Dr Henry said: “They will know these people.”
We must get our vulnerable elderly population vaccinated as soon as possible, so this will inevitably slow things down.
Recent reports suggest the vaccine may reduce transmission of Covid-19 by 67% and protection lasts for the three-month jab interval.
We hope the concerns about the jab are swiftly dealt with and we can protect our nation with all the vaccines at our disposal.
Lives are depending on it.