The suspension of use of the AstraZeneca vaccine is a real setback to the national inoculation campaign against Covid-19. Tens of thousands more who have already received one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine will wonder whether the interval between shots will now be extended beyond the planned 12 weeks. The suspension is one of the most consequential decisions taken by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) since the pandemic began. We know that even a single shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine reduces the chance of severe illness from Covid-19 by more than 80 per cent. It is important to stress, as deputy chief medical officer Ronan Glynn has done, that there is no proof that the vaccine causes blood clots.

Source: The Irish Times March 15, 2021 20:17 UTC