NIAC: AstraZeneca And Johnson & Johnson Covid 19 Vaccines To Be Made Available To All.

Tuesday, 29 June 2021 09:25

The gap between doses of AstraZeneca is also set to be cut in half

Both the AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines are to be made available for everyone, regardless of age.

NIAC made the recommendation to government last night - the jabs had previously only been given to those over 50.

The gap between doses of AstraZeneca is also set to be cut in half - from eight to four weeks.

NEW: I understand NIAC has recommended reducing the gap between doses of AstraZeneca from 8 to 4 weeks. Move aimed at getting people fully vaccinated against Delta variant. Cabinet sub-committee to consider tonight
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) June 28, 2021

This would allow many more people in their 60s to be vaccinated faster.

Tony O'Brien, former director-general of the HSE, says both recommendations are really positive:

Liam Fanning, Professor of Immunovirology at UCC, is concerned the changes won't work:

#BREAKING: Gap in between doses of AZ set to be reduced to four weeks in a bid to get ahead of the Delta variant.

Would be welcome news for many over 60s - but it seems relatively untested which is not usually the NIAC way. From ⁦@SenanMolony⁩
https://t.co/nicU1jmcAx
— Kevin Doyle (@KevDoyle_Indo) June 28, 2021

Two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine produces lower antibody levels against the Delta variant than other strains.

Researchers found those double-dosed with this jab have antibodies that are 2 and a half times lower against it than the Pfizer vaccine.

It found people who previously reported having Covid symptoms had higher antibody levels after their first vaccination than those who hadn't had symptoms or the virus.

Pharmacies say they are ready to vaccinate thousands of young people using AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson jabs.

The two vaccines are set to be administered to anyone aged between 18 and 40.

Paul O’Donoghue reports.