Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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379. To ask the Minister for Health when persons aged between 60-69 can expect to receive their second dose of a vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32520/21]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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395. To ask the Minister for Health if an alternative MRNA vaccine will be made available for those in the 50-69 age cohort if a vaccine (details supplied) is not available within an eight week period for the second dose of the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32796/21]

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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418. To ask the Minister for Health the position for persons aged over 60 receiving the second dose of a vaccine (details supplied); if the time between vaccines will be reduced from 12 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32854/21]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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452. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding Covid-19 vaccinations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33136/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 379, 395, 418 and 452 together.

On 4 June I announced a shorter interval between doses for the Vaxzevria® (AstraZeneca) vaccine. This follows updated recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), which have been endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer. NIAC has concluded that those of any age (without any previous COVID-19 infection), who have received their first dose of Vaxzevria® should receive their second dose 8-12 weeks later.

The HSE recently received updated advice from NIAC in relation to reducing the dosing interval for the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine from 12 weeks to 8. Extensive planning has been required to put in place a programme that will now see the remaining, approximately 450,000 people, in receipt of the AstraZeneca vaccine fully immunised through the administration of this second dose and it is expected to be substantially completed by 19 July.