Over 70s will not be given 'game-changer' AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine - Taoiseach  

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee has said that where "practicable and timely", mRNA vaccines (such as the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines) should be used for the over 70s

A box containing vials of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. File picture

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed those over the age of 70 will not be given the "game-changer" AstraZeneca Covid vaccine.

Serious doubts have now been cast over the vaccination programme, which will have to be changed following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) that AstraZeneca could be less effective on older people.

The committee has said that where "practicable and timely", mRNA vaccines (such as the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines) should be used for the over 70s.

Mr Martin admitted the move away from using AstraZeneca, which can be easily stored and administered by GPs, will pose challenges.

"That will mean change in terms of the operation of the plan and will be a significant logistical challenge to the Health Service Executive, and they're currently working through the implications of this," Mr Martin said.

"All three vaccines are safe and effective but given the higher efficacy data around the mRNA vaccines, namely Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, the CMO is recommending that it would be preferable to use them where practical and timely for the over 70s.

"Given that the over 70s are the most vulnerable to death and to illness if they get Covid the recommendation is that we apply those vaccines – Moderna and Pfizer – to the over 70s and that is what's going to happen."

The Taoiseach promised the vaccination of those over 70 will still begin on February 15, but only the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be used.

Mr Martin suggested the vaccination of other groups may now be brought forward as a result of the recommendation.

"It means for other groupings and the cohorts four, five, six and seven that they'll be able to come forward in terms of AstraZeneca," he told TodayFM'sThe Last Word programme.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin admitted that the move away from using AstraZeneca, which can be easily stored and administered by GPs, will pose challenges.

A statement from the Department of Health on Wednesday evening confirmed that the NIAC has recommended that mRNA vaccines be used for the over 70’s in Ireland “where practicable and timely”.

The mRNA vaccines approved for Ireland are the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.

The NIAC also recommended that “in line with the approvals granted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), all currently authorised Covid-19 vaccines can be used in adults of all ages, including those aged 70 years and older”.

The NIAC stated that given the high rates of community transmission, “the best vaccine to administer to the older population is the one which can be soonest administered.

“Where practicable and timely, those aged 70 years and older should be given mRNA vaccines, as these vaccines have a higher reported overall efficacy which makes them preferable for use in those at highest risk of adverse outcomes". 

The Department of Health said that "a number of other EU countries have made similar decisions with regard to the provision of mRNA vaccines to older people".

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan stated that the main objective of the vaccine programme was to "prevent morbidity and mortality". 

He said: "International and national data indicate that those aged 70 years and older are at significantly higher risk of hospitalisation and mortality. 

"Due to the demonstrated efficacy of mRNA vaccines in older persons and in recognition of their particular vulnerability in terms of their increased risk of death and serious disease if they contract Covid-19, it has been recommended that mRNA vaccines be administered to all those over 70 years in order to provide the highest level of protection available to this population."

The Department statement added: "The expert advice to the [Health] Minister [Stephen Donnelly] recognised that currently there is limited data on the AstraZeneca vaccine in relation to older age groups. 

"Those aged over 70 are a key priority group for protection because of their greater risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death from Covid-19."

Mr Donnelly said: "It has been a remarkable achievement by science to have developed, rigorously tested, gained regulatory approval and distributed three safe and effective vaccines in little over a year since SARS-COV-2 was first identified. 

Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

"The addition of a third Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca will significantly enhance the implementation of our vaccination programme and, together with those from Pfizer and Moderna, will play a very important role in protecting our population from COVID-19 and helping us to overcome the challenges which we have faced over the last year. 

"The roll-out of community vaccinations to our over 70s will begin as planned this month starting with those aged 85 and over."

The statement from the Department confirmed that supplies of AstraZeneca will begin arriving in Ireland from next week and deliveries of Pfizer and Moderna will continue as scheduled.

Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane described the decision as a "major setback" in the vaccine programme.

“This will have consequences for targets and the speed and efficiency of the rollout.

“We do not know how long it will take to vaccinate over 70s without the AstraZeneca vaccine, and there is no sense now what the strategy is or the timeframes."

Mr Cullinane called on Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to set out clear revised targets and provide certainty on how this will be rolled out practically through GPs.