Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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2236. To ask the Minister for Health the efficacy of a vaccine (details supplied) in cases in which the second dose is reduced to a four-week interval in respect of the reduced risk of serious illness and hospitalisation and transmission; the rates of efficacy as compared to an eight-week or 12-week interval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37083/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Covid-19 vaccines can only be approved and used if they comply with all the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy set out in the EU pharmaceutical legislation. Each of the authorised vaccines are indicated for active immunisation to prevent Covid-19. The vaccine manufacturers are required to ensure that their products remain safe and effective for the authorised indication of prevention of Covid-19.

The European Commission (EC) has granted conditional marketing authorisations (CMA) to four vaccines against COVID-19 on foot of a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the EMA and authorisation for use by the EC, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.

The Guidelines state:

The vaccine is authorised as a two-dose course 4-12 weeks apart.

The threat of new variants in circulation and evidence of suboptimal protection against the Delta variant after one dose of Vaxzevria® means that the shorter 4-week interval is preferable to ensure earlier protection, if practicable.

It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel until a sufficiently large proportion of the population is immune.