Mix of vaccinating old and young could deliver best level of immunity, says expert

Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), infectious disease expert, Professor Karina Butler has said a mixed response in the vaccination programme could provide the best level of immunity for the whole community.

The Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), infectious disease expert, Professor Karina Butler has said that a mixed response in the vaccination programme could provide the best level of immunity for the whole community.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast about the decision to prioritise use the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for the over-70s, Prof Butler said: “From the beginning we said if we had a vaccine that was proven to be good at preventing transmission then ideally you want to give that to the younger cohort who are out and about the most and may be involved in the transmission of it more than older people who are shielding themselves safely.