A second vaccine booster is to be offered to the immunocompromised and people over the age of 65.
The Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced the latest NIAC (National Immunisation Advisory Committee) recommendations on Newstalk Breakfast this morning.
He said everyone over the age of 65 will be offered a second mRNA booster – meaning they will have had a total of four doses.
People over the age of 12 who are immunocompromised will also be offered the second booster – meaning they will have had a total of five.
NIAC said immunocompromised children should complete an extended primary course, which involved three doses.
📢Today we're announcing that those aged 65 years and older and those who are immunocompromised should receive a further booster dose of COVID-19 Vaccine following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee. pic.twitter.com/h364UG0xfE
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) April 6, 2022
On Newstalk Breakfast Minister Donnelly said the advice was issued last night and accepted this morning.
He said NIAC reiterated several points about its current advice:
- Anyone who is not vaccinated or boosted should get the jab now.
- Pregnant women can receive the mRNA vaccine at any point during pregnancy.
- People over the age of 12 should complete the primary course and get the booster.
- five to 11-year-olds should recieve the primary course of two doses.
"The main new advice is that a second mRNA booster for those aged 65 and older and for the immunocompromised aged over 12, that a second booster should be offered four to six months after the first booster," he said.
"That’s what we will be working now with the HSE now to put in place."
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