Digital Desk Staff
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) is to recommend that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be used by those over the age of 50, The Irish Times understands.
As the Irish Times reports, the vaccine can also be used for those under 50 if another vaccine is not available, and for those in hard-to-reach circumstances where a single-shot vaccine is more appropriate.
It is also believed that Niac will change its recommendation for the AstraZeneca vaccine to allow it to be used by those over 50, significantly extending its use.
The chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, and the Department of Health are said to be awaiting formal notification of Niac’s advice, which is expected to be delivered later on Monday evening or on Tuesday morning.
Earlier a spokesman for Niac confirmed on Monday afternoon that it met over the weekend and again on Monday morning, and it is “finalising [its] recommendations to the chief medical officer”.
It is unclear if advice on the vaccine will be sent to Dr Tony Holohan on Monday or Tuesday. Once he receives it, Dr Holoan will formulate advice based on the Niac letter for Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.
However, some sources indicated much of the substantive work on the advice had been completed, meaning it could be sent to the CMO later on Monday evening, or on Tuesday morning
Once the advice is approved and adopted by the Minister, the Health Service Executive is charged with putting it in place.
Clotting events
Sources within Government are hopeful that Niac will allow a broader use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine than is currently the case for the AstraZeneca shot, which was linked to similar clotting events and is based on similar vaccine technology.
Use of the AstraZeneca vaccine is restricted to those over 60, under current Niac advice. Government sources believe Niac is also examining the rules governing the use of the AstraZeneca shot, but it is unknown if there will be any changes to the use of that vaccine advised.
Some 605,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine are due in the country before the end of June.
Easy to transport, store and requiring a single dose rather than two, the vaccine was earmarked for use among vulnerable populations such as the Traveller, homeless and Roma communities in particular.
Last week, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) confirmed the benefits of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine outweighed the risks of blood clots as a very rare side effect. The unusual clots are extremely rare, occurring in just under one in a million recipients.
On Friday, it also reiterated the benefits of the AstraZeneca shot as well.
