Dr. Colm Henry:

I thank the Deputy. I would strongly advise anybody listening in the 60 to 69-year age group to take the AstraZeneca vaccine because of the considerable protection it gives them from serious illness, hospitalisation, admission to intensive therapy units, ITU, and death. They have much more to fear from the virus, and its side effects and complications, than they have from a vaccine which has a very rare side effect that has been largely noted in people under 60 years of age.

At this point in time, we are in the position that AstraZeneca is the only vaccine we can offer those over 60 years of age. As the Deputy has heard, this is because of our programme of completing the over-70s and our need to use the mRNA vaccine in those under 60 years of age, as per advice. AstraZeneca is one vaccine we can give. It is a very effective and safe vaccine and will protect people between 60 and 69 from the worst effects of this virus.

Regarding the Deputy's second-----