The Government must clarify if 80% of Irish people will still receive their first Covid jab by the end of June, Alan Kelly has said.
The Labour leader is calling on Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to explain how the suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine for those under 60 will affect the rollout plan.
Mr Kelly said: “They need to do that and I’m surprised they haven’t done so to date.
“I’d like the Minister for Health to come out, we haven’t heard from him in relation to this.”
Mr Kelly also expressed concern over the high level of “vaccine hesitancy” following the decision made about the AstraZeneca jab.
He said he would take the AstraZeneca vaccine himself, adding: "There is a concern here and my phone has been hopping since last night in relation to hesitancy.
“In order for us to meet our plans by June, we are expecting people who are in the 60-69 age cohort to take the AstraZeneca vaccine.
“Everybody, all public reps have been inundated with people who are saying they will now not take it, this is deeply concerning.
“I believe they should take it but also understandable given the big decision that was made by NIAC yesterday.”
Mr Kelly said he wants to know was the potential level of hesitancy taken into account when NIAC made their decision.
He said: “Obviously looking after people’s health is critical but should there be more of a concern about the fact that people will not be vaccinated potentially as quickly versus this very, very slight as NIAC has called it, slight risk in relation to clots.”
