The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) is to recommend that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be used by those over the age of 50, The Irish Times understands. It is also understood that Niac will change its recommendation for the AstraZeneca vaccine to allow it to be used by those over 50, significantly extending its use. Once he receives it, Dr Holohan in turn will formulate advice based on the Niac letter for Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. Some 605,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are due in the country before the end of June. Last week, the European Medicines Agency confirmed the benefits of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine outweighed the risks of blood clots as a very rare side effect.

Source: The Irish Times April 26, 2021 13:01 UTC