- Pregnant people to be offered mRNA COVID-19 vaccination at any stage of pregnancy
- Immunocompromised individuals aged 12 years and older to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, has announced several updates to Ireland’s COVID-19 vaccination Programme. These updates follow recommendations made by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). The CMO has endorsed these recommendations.
The NIAC has recommended that pregnant women and adolescents from 12 years of age should be offered mRNA COVID-19 vaccination at any stage of pregnancy following an individual benefit/risk discussion with their obstetric care giver.
In April this year, the NIAC had recommended that pregnant women be offered mRNA COVID-19 vaccination between 14-36 weeks’ gestation. The NIAC has updated this recommendation based on the growing body of evidence on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination. The evidence clearly indicates that the benefits of vaccination outweigh any known or potential risks of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.
Minister Donnelly said: “The evidence shows that vaccination is the best way to protect both mother and baby from serious harm from COVID-19 and I am pleased to today announce that COVID-19 vaccination will be available at all stages of pregnancy.
“I am aware that many pregnant people and their partners will have questions about this update to the vaccination programme, and I encourage anyone who has any concerns to engage with their obstetric care team and the many trusted sources of information available in order to make the best decision for you and your baby.”
NIACs updated advice also recommends an extended primary vaccination course with an mRNA vaccine for immunocompromised individuals aged 12 years and older, regardless of whether the initial COVID-19 vaccine they received was an mRNA or an adenoviral vector vaccine.
The third dose of an mRNA vaccine should be given a minimum of two months after the last dose of the primary vaccination schedule.
Minister Donnelly said: “Since the very beginning of this pandemic, we have worked to protect those most at high risk from severe illness and death from COVID-19. I hope that the opportunity to receive a third or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine dose brings comfort and reassurance to people that these vaccines are very safe and effective and offer protection from COVID-19.
“I will now work with my Department, the HSE and the High Level Task Force to implement these recommendations as soon as possible.
“As we move into this new stage of the pandemic, it is more important than ever that all of those eligible for vaccination but who remain unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, should initiate/complete their vaccination course. Vaccination along with our continued adherence to the public health advice we are all so familiar with are the best ways we can protect ourselves, our loves ones and our country’s re-opening.
“If you display symptoms of COVID-19 like cough, fever, headache, sore throat and blocked or runny nose - isolate and get a test immediately. Continue to regularly wash hands, wear a mask when appropriate, keep your distance, open windows and ventilate indoor spaces and choose outdoors where possible for meeting others."
ENDS// The latest NIAC advice is available here. Letters from the CMO to the Minister for Health are available here.
Questions and Answers by the RCPI for pregnant or breastfeeding women about COVID-19 vaccination are available here. HSE COVID-19 Vaccination Information is available here.