It is being reported this morning that Ireland has temporarily suspended the use of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines following new information received from the Norwegian Medicines Agency yesterday evening.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) recommended that the administration of AstraZeneca vaccine be “temporarily deferred” from Sunday morning.
In a statement, the deputy chief medical officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, said: “This recommendation has been made following a report from the Norwegian Medicines Agency of four new reports of serious blood clotting events in adults after vaccination with Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.
“It has not been concluded that there is any link between the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca® and these cases. However, acting on the precautionary principal, and pending receipt of further information, the NIAC has recommended the temporary deferral of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca vaccination programme in Ireland.” Niac is due to meet again later this morning to discuss the issue.
Almost 120,000 AstraZeneca vaccines have been administered in the Republic to date, about 20 percent of the total.
Temporary halt of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine
