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Pharmaceutical industry

Ireland's Vaccine Rollout to Continue "Full Steam Ahead" Despite Delays and Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Ireland's COVID-19 vaccine rollout can proceed at a rapid pace due to recent recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee has advised that all four vaccines currently authorized for use in Ireland – AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Moderna – can be administered to individuals over the age of 50. Additionally, pregnant women will be prioritized for Moderna and Pfizer jabs, while those under 50 who have recovered from COVID-19 will only require one vaccine dose to be considered fully vaccinated.

Key Takeaways:

  • All four vaccines currently authorized for use in Ireland – AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Moderna – can be administered to individuals over the age of 50.
  • Pregnant women will be prioritized for Moderna and Pfizer jabs, and will only receive those vaccines.
  • Individuals under 50 who have recovered from COVID-19 will only require one vaccine dose to be considered fully vaccinated, with the condition that they have not had COVID-19 in the past six months.
  • The HSE is preparing to implement the changes to the vaccine rollout plan, which has already required updates to the jab plan up to 30 times since its inception in December.
  • The Irish government has confirmed that the rollout is still on track to meet the target of having 82% of adults vaccinated by the end of June.
  • The Government has also moved to start vaccinating pregnant women, with the HSE currently drawing up plans to establish pregnant women as a stand-alone priority group.

Statistics:

  • 1,416,350 vaccine doses have now been administered in Ireland.
  • 14,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are waiting to be used.
  • The HSE is expecting 12,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by the end of this month, with the majority of new shipments arriving in late May and June.
  • Ireland is due to receive 600,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by the end of June.

Sources:

  • Health Minister Stephen Donnelly's comments on the NIAC's advice.
  • The Irish Times: "J&J jab cleared for over 50s: Health Minister Stephen Donnelly".
  • RTÉ News: "NIAC advises on COVID-19 vaccines: pregnant women, recovered cases and up-and-coming variants".
  • Department of Health: "COVID-19 Public Health Advice for Pregnant Women".
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