Dr. Tony Holohan:

On the AstraZeneca question, the process is that NIAC gives that advice through me and ultimately through to the Minister. NIAC has looked at the question already and the evidence so far has not given it cause to conclude, but we can anticipate a conclusion. There have been a number of studies, one in Spain and one in the UK, that may well change the situation on the mixing of vaccine doses. The term used is heterologous vaccination. It has not as yet been recommended in this country. It is really important now to people in the 60 to 69 age group and any other people who are in other age groups that have received it. I have a daughter who is 20 years of age who had her first dose and is due a second dose of AstraZeneca. I am quite happy to recommend that she gets it. That is our position.

On the related question on boosters, some element of that is something that we will be looking at through NIAC over the course of the coming weeks. It is a very good question that Senator Buttimer has raised. We think there will be some role to play in that regard but we want to take a careful look at the evidence as we move through to the optimistic situation whereby we can look to August or September when the great majority of people who are currently the target of our vaccination programme will have been vaccinated.