HSE Asks For Flexibility On Johnson & Johnson Vaccination.

Thursday, 6 May 2021 15:50

NIAC currently recommends use in people aged 50+, only.

The HSE has asked the government for flexibility to use the Johnson and Johnson Covid vaccine in people aged under 50.

It's currently being used in those over 50 after advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee.

COVID-19 update from Dr. Steevens’ Hospital https://t.co/yR257SsSw2
— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) May 6, 2021

The HSE has submitted an updated rollout plan to the Department of Health for how doses should be used.

CEO Paul Reid explains what the aim is:

Whilst the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has been administered in public for the first time.

Homeless people in Dublin are the first to receive the one shot jab.

700 doses of the vaccine should be administered to homeless people by the end of next week.

Dr Austin O’Carroll is the HSE Clinical Lead for the Covid Homeless Response in Dublin.

He says the single shot vaccine is hugely beneficial for vulnerable groups.

Meanwhile,

The Russian Ambassador to Ireland says his country's Covid-19 vaccine could be authorised for use here by mid-summer.

The European Medicines Agency's reviewing the Sputnik jab, but a formal application for approval hasn't been lodged yet.

Russian Ambassador Yuriy Filatov says the Irish government hasn't made contact with Russia about rolling out the jab here.

But he's confident it will get EMA approval soon - giving Ireland access to a fifth injection.

And a new study suggests two doses of the Pfizer Covid vaccine can provide more than 95 percent protection against infection, severe illness and death.

The research from Israel found a single dose offers 58 percent protection against infection.

Israel's leading the world in vaccinations with more than half of the population jabbed with two Pfizer doses.