The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has recommended that vaccines can be mixed in certain circumstances, the health minister has said.
Stephen Donnelly said he has authorised the advice and his department is working with the HSE to implement the mix and match of vaccines as soon as possible.
Speaking at a test centre in Ardee in Co Louth on Tuesday, Mr Donnelly said it is “good news” if someone received one dose of AstraZeneca but, for various reasons, have a preference for an mRNA vaccine for their second dose.
“I received advice from the chief medical officer (Dr Tony Holohan) who received advice from Niac,” Mr Donnelly said.
It can take up to 14 days for #COVID19 symptoms to show. Do not attend a vaccination appointment if you have symptoms. These include a fever, a new cough, shortness of breath, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or tasteâ¡ https://t.co/fWtB98Z3sP #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/XSicPHBnAe
— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) August 17, 2021
“For those people who have had one dose of AstraZeneca, but for various reasons were advised not to or were not comfortable in going for a second dose, and have preference for an mRNA vaccine, I received advise yesterday saying that we can now mix the vaccines.
“I agree with that and the department will be working with the HSE to implement that as quickly as possible, so it’s good advice for that group of people.”
Mr Donnelly also said he will receive further advice next week on plans for a booster campaign.
He said plans were being made to roll out an “ambitious vaccines booster programme”.
A quick snapshot of the latest data on vaccine uptake. Great to see such enthusiasm among younger people! pic.twitter.com/w3Wceg5ZJO
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) August 16, 2021
Mr Donnelly said the health department will work with the HSE and the taskforce to launch the plan for the booster programme.
He added that timelines are being worked on by officials and that he expects the booster jabs to be given around the same time as the flu shot, around the end of September and beginning of October.
The Fianna Fail minister said: “We have an early indication from Niac with regard to a booster campaign and they said a few things. One of the things they said was for various priority groups who should be looked at first by the HSE and has been planning accordingly.
A quick stop this morning at the National Show Centre #Swords where vaccinations continue apace.
— Darragh O'Brien (@DarraghOBrienTD) August 17, 2021
Minister @DonnellyStephen visited the centre to say thank you to all staff&volunteers who are continuing in their Trojan efforts to get vaccines administered as quickly as possible. pic.twitter.com/AsHQJ9EZIq
“The second thing Niac said was, with the booster campaign, the time to do it was with the winter flu vaccine campaign.
“That would happen the last week of September and into October.
“Niac are currently looking at the details of any booster campaign and I expect to receive advice on that next week from Niac, which will allow us to procced with more detailed planning.
“It will give people a sense of when they might expect the booster and indeed which groups are being recommended the booster would be appropriate for.”