EU's AstraZeneca decision made today as Ireland's roll-out 'hangs on' outcome

The EU will today announce whether or not they approve the use of the AstaZeneca vaccine.

The jab had been hailed as a "game changer" for Ireland although worry about its use in over 65s and production issues have emerged.

The HSE said they would be waiting on the decision of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) after a German vaccination committee recommended the AstraZeneca not to be used in over 65s.

Speaking on Friday morning, HSE Chief Paul Reid said: "It's going to be a very bumpy road... a lot hangs on the EMA decision today."

HSE Covid-19 Media Briefing. Pictured is HSE CEO Paul Reid at the media briefing in Dr Steevens Hospital for the weekly HSE operational update on the response to Covid-19. (Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland)

A decision is expected at around 2pm Irish time today.

HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said: "Whether you can extrapolate from that to say therefore that it's not effective because of a dearth of evidence of one demographic is up to the EMA to determine."

He said that while he has seen the report from the German authorities, "the EMA is who we will listen to".

The UK have been rolling out the vaccine in the over 65 age group and said the results have been reassuring so far.

The plan to extend the vaccination programme to the over-70s here in Ireland is largely dependent on the approval of the AstraZeneca vaccine.