The HSE will resume administering the AstraZeneca vaccine today (Saturday).
This follows the recommendation from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the deputy Chief Medical Officer that use of the vaccine should recommence.
According to Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE: “We welcome the review by the European Medicines Agency and the positive outcome. We will now put in place the updated information and advice recommended by NIAC, and begin rescheduling vaccinations starting with a relatively modest number today (Saturday)”.
“We know there are huge benefits in terms of preventing serious illness and hospitalisations, even after the first dose for all vaccines, including the AstraZeneca vaccine. We are already seeing very positive and significant changes in terms of reported COVID-19 cases in healthcare workers and vulnerable groups. There are clear benefits for this vaccine in protecting against serious illness from Covid-19.”
He continued: “Our priority is to restart the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine, in as safe and timely a manner as possible. We plan to administer the AstraZeneca vaccine over this weekend in our acute hospital settings.”
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