Ireland's vaccine programme has been thrown into turmoil after the State's advisory body recommended the AstraZeneca jab should only be given to people aged over 60.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) made the recommendation after Europe’s health watchdog the EMA last week found a link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and rare blood clotting issues in adults, particularly younger people.
In a statement, NIAC said that the benefits versus the risks of the AstraZeneca vaccine may vary by age and as alternative Covid-19 vaccines are available in Ireland, it has revised the recommendations for the use of the vaccine.
The decision which will likely be adapted by the government is set to have major implications for the roll-out here.
The EMA has added unusual clotting events with low platelet counts as very rare side effects to the vaccine product information.
These rare events are estimated to occur between four and 10 in every one million people, one of whom may die, according to NIAC.
But the decision has left many people confused as to what happens next with the Government's rollout plan, with some 233,700 people having already received one dose of the vaccine.
What did the NIAC say?
Chair of NIAC Prof Karina Butler said: “NIAC realises the need to balance the significant benefits of a national vaccination programme with the very rare risk of these reported events.
“While this is an extremely rare condition, consideration must be given to the fact that it has a very high risk of death or severe outcome.
“All the authorised COVID-19 vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca and the newly approved Janssen – are highly effective in preventing hospitalisation and severe COVID-19 disease.
“We strongly encourage everyone to accept the COVID-19 vaccine they are offered.
“A high uptake of vaccine in every age group is needed if COVID-19 is to be controlled, so that public health restrictions may be safely removed.”
What happens if you've already received one dose?
Just 250 people have received their second AstraZeneca dose, meaning that over 230,000 are in their original 12-week period between vaccines.
Recipients of the AstraZeneca jab have now been advised that if aged over 60, they should still receive the second dose 12 weeks later as scheduled.
Those aged under 60 years with a very high risk or high-risk medical condition should also receive their second dose 12 weeks later as scheduled.
However, NIAC now say that people aged under 60 years without a high-risk medical condition should have the scheduled interval between doses extended to 16 weeks to allow further assessment of the benefits and risks as more evidence becomes available.
NIAC also said that a second dose of the jab should not be given to anyone who developed unusual blood clots with low platelets after the first dose.
