David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend Dr. Henry and Professor Butler on the work they have done. Notwithstanding any questions we put or any concerns we have raised in the past about the roll-out, I genuinely commend all of those involved in the process. It is a major undertaking and it is also very important in the context of us fighting back against Covid-19. People can see there is real progress to be made and maybe the finishing line and we need competent management now in a number of areas. I assume Dr. Henry agrees that these areas would include contact tracing, travel checks, quarantine and the vaccine roll-out. It is all really important.

We had breaking news from the EMA on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The position in respect of it seems to be a bit like that relating to the AstraZeneca vaccine in that the EMA is recommending that a warning be attached. The agency has said that the benefits outweigh the risk and it is not, as far as I can see, indicating that it should be limited to any age cohort. It indicates that the incidence of blood clots was mainly in those under 60 years of age. Is it not the case that the recommendation for the authorised use of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the EMA is that it is suitable for all age cohorts over 18? We in this State, following the recommendations from the NIAC, took a decision from an abundance of caution to limit the AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 60. Is that correct?