Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1987. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to offer another vaccine to those under 30 years of age in view of the links between a vaccine (details supplied) and blood clots, particularly in young women and the UK advice that persons under 30 years of age should receive an alternative vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19511/21]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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2149. To ask the Minister for Health the latest advice received from NIAC regarding a Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied); the implications of this for those under 60 years of age who have received one dose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19983/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1987 and 2149 together.

On 7 April 2021, the European Medicine Agency (EMA) announced that they had concluded an investigation into a number of very rare, unusual blood clots occurring with low platelets in people following vaccination with Vaxzevria (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca). The EMA’s safety committee (PRAC) concluded that unusual blood clots with low blood platelets should be listed as very rare side effects of Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca but that the benefits of this vaccine continue to outweigh the risks.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) on the 12th April 2021 revised recommendations for the use of Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca. In line with these recommendations,

All of those aged 60 years and older can get any authorised COVID-19 vaccine, including Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca;

Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca is not recommended for those aged under 60 years including those with medical conditions with very high or high risk of severe COVID-19 disease;

For people who have already received Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca:

- Those aged 60 years and older should continue to receive their second dose 12 weeks later as scheduled,

- Those aged under 60 years with an underlying condition (those identified in cohort 4 and cohort 7) should continue to receive their second dose 12 weeks later as scheduled,

- Those aged under 60 years with no underlying condition (therefore not identified in cohort 4 and cohort 7) should have the scheduled interval between their first and second doses extended to 16 weeks to allow for further assessment of the benefits and risks as more evidence becomes available,

- Those who have developed unusual blood clots with low platelets after the first dose of Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca should not be given a second dose.

Rollout of the vaccination programme has been adjusted following receipt of the NIAC guidance on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.