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AstraZeneca vaccine appointments to be rescheduled starting this weekend

The HSE is to start using the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine again from tomorrow. Anyone impacted b...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

20.33 19 Mar 2021


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AstraZeneca vaccine appointmen...

AstraZeneca vaccine appointments to be rescheduled starting this weekend

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

20.33 19 Mar 2021


Share this article


The HSE is to start using the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine again from tomorrow.

Anyone impacted by the pause over the past week will be contacted to have their vaccination appointment rescheduled.

However, there will only be a 'relatively modest' number of vaccinations to start.

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It comes after health officials gave the green light for vaccination using the jab to resume in Ireland.

Vaccination will initially recommence in 'some hospitals' as early as Saturday.

Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said: “We welcome the review by the European Medicines Agency and the positive outcome.

"We will now put in place the updated information and advice recommended by NIAC, and begin rescheduling vaccinations starting with a relatively modest number tomorrow (Saturday).

‘We know there are huge benefits in terms of preventing serious illness and hospitalisations, even after the first dose for all vaccines, including the AstraZeneca vaccine."

The groups impacted by the pause were mainly frontline health workers (priority group two) and people with underlying conditions that put them at very high risk from COVID-19 (group four).

In a statement, the HSE said: "Within Group 4, work has continued this week to identify people who are due to be invited for vaccines.

"The HSE and the wider health sector is working to invite people for vaccines, primarily through our hospital services, and our wider disability and mental health sector. We may also seek to contact people through their GPs, and through public information and advertising.

"For now, we ask people in this group to not take any action - the HSE or your healthcare team will be in touch with you when your vaccine is available."

The executive is urging everyone to take whatever vaccine is offered to them, so they can be protected from the virus as early as possible.

The limited supply of vaccines available means people will not be offered a choice of which vaccine they want.

No second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are currently scheduled, as there's a 12-week gap between doses and vaccination with the jab only got underway in February.

Main image: Dr Colm Henry. Photograph: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

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