/NIAC officially limit AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 60 in Ireland | Buzz.ie

NIAC officially limit AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 60 in Ireland | Buzz.ie

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has this evening confirmed limitations to administering the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Ireland.

From this evening, the AstraZeneca dose will be limited to people over 60 in Ireland’s vaccine rollout, after a recent investigation carried out by the EMA.

The NIAC also recommended that a second dose of the vaccine should not be given to anyone who “developed unusual blood clots with low platelets after the first dose”.

This evening’s announcement marks a major blow to Ireland’s plans of vaccinating 80% of the population by June.

The recommendation released by the Committee said:

“Any authorised COVID-19 vaccine, including Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca, is recommended for those aged 60 years and older including those with medical conditions with very high or high risk of severe COVID-19 disease.

“Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca is not recommended for those aged under 60 years including those with medical conditions with very high or high risk of severe COVID-19 disease.

“A second dose of Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca should not be given to anyone who developed unusual blood clots with low platelets after the first dose.

Advice for those who have received a first dose of Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca is:

Speaking about the new advice, NIAC Chair, Prof Karina Butler said:

“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.

“Vaccination with Vaxzevria COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine is highly effective and substantially reduces the risk of severe COVID-19 disease across all age groups.

“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.

“As the risk/benefits of Vaxzevria COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine may vary by age and as alternative COVID-19 vaccines are available NIAC has revised the recommendations for use of this vaccine.

“In developing these recommendations, NIAC is informed by the available scientific evidence and the risk/benefits of the vaccines. New evidence will be reviewed once available and any further required recommendations will be notified to the Department of Health.

“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.”