Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

HSE chief Paul Reid Leon Farrell via RollingNews.ie

Most AZ second doses will be administered within next five weeks, Reid confirms

The HSE chief said it is planned that the second doses of AstraZeneca will be completed by 19 July.

LAST UPDATE | 15 Jun 2021

AROUND 450,000 PEOPLE who are awaiting a second dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine will receive it within the next five weeks, the HSE chief executive has confirmed. 

Paul Reid this evening confirmed that the wait time for a second AstraZeneca dose is being gradually reduced from 12 weeks to eight following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).

“We started the process this week of giving people the second dose of AstraZeneca, that we will work through over the next five weeks,” Reid said, speaking to Virgin Media News. 

Reid said it is planned that the second doses of AstraZeneca will be completed by 19 July. 

“So, 450,000 people over the course of the next five weeks will receive their second dose of AstraZeneca,” he said. 

“Overall, it’s really important that people do come forward for their second dose vaccine. You don’t have your fullest protection until you have your second dose vaccine,” Reid added. 

The HSE chief said the rollout of the second dose of AstraZeneca will not delay the vaccination rollout for those in younger age cohorts. 

Reid also confirmed people who do not wish to receive the second dose of AstraZeneca will not be offered an mRNA vaccine in its place. 

“We’re still working through the strong recommendations from medical advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee for people to come forward for their second dose of AstraZeneca,” he said. 

Reid’s comments come after government ministers confirmed earlier today that there are no current plans to allow a first dose of one Covid-19 vaccine and a second dose of another to be administered.

Some opposition TDs had suggested that the rollout could be sped up, particularly for the 60 to 69 age cohort, by allowing doses to be mixed, but the Taoiseach believes giving “mixed signals” could disrupt the programme.

Speaking at Leaders’ Questions this afternoon, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that “what we’ve learned is that once you start changing, once you start giving out mixed signals, it can disrupt the vaccination programme”.

“This vaccine programme has worked on the basis that people have received vaccines as those vaccines were available,” Martin said.

“We need to keep going, it’s working well, let’s not disrupt the model that is working well right now.”

It had been suggested that offering over 60s who received the AstraZeneca vaccine a choice of another vaccine for their second dose could help strengthen protection against the Delta variant as well as speed up the process.

A total supply of around 4.1 million doses should be in the country by the end of quarter two.

Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris also said that mixing doses is not on the agenda.

He said that public health advice should be followed and that it does not recommend mixing vaccines.

Tweet by @Gráinne Ní Aodha Gráinne Ní Aodha / Twitter Gráinne Ní Aodha / Twitter / Twitter

Around 58% of people have received a first dose of a vaccine and nearly 27% have had a second dose, the Taoiseach said.

The online vaccine registration portal opened to people in their 60s in April.

People in their 60s were offered the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is approved for use by the European Medicines Agency and NIAC, but not advised for younger people.

Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane was among those to suggest that over 60s should be offered a choice of a different second dose it if was supported by international evidence.

“Our priority must be to protect this cohort of over 60s, especially as they must wait a long time for their second dose,” Cullinane said in a statement.

He said the reduction in the AstraZeneca interval was welcome, but that it should be “expedited and not phased”.

“The Minister for Health must ensure that NIAC examine if the option of a second dose of another vaccine is safe and effective,” he said.

“We need to take every measure we can to ensure that our vaccination rollout is both fair and effective.”

With reporting by Hayley Halpin

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
68 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Fenton
    Favourite David Fenton
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 4:42 PM

    It might be worth people’s while reading up a little on card skimming machines. If you have some idea of what to look for you can protect yourself to some degree. However, it’s always best to avoid using machines in poorly lit and poorly serviced areas and always check your statements regularly. Here’s a bunch of articles with pictures to give you an idea of what’s out there. http://krebsonsecurity.com/all-about-skimmers/

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute PunchUinFACE
    Favourite PunchUinFACE
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 5:29 PM

    Best tip is to simply always place your hand directly over keypad when entering PIN. PIN is key, while your card details maybe compromised without PIN bank cannot hold you liable for CNP payments which is all they can do without PIN

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Hyland
    Favourite Sean Hyland
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 5:42 PM

    The best tip would be to re introduce border controls on eastern block countries and stop criminal gangs moving in. Bulgaria borders open 2014 roll up all in!

    99
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Gobstock
    Favourite Johnny Gobstock
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 10:14 PM

    exactly Sean, we never had this crap until they opened the borders to them

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john mack
    Favourite john mack
    Report
    Nov 27th 2012, 7:15 AM

    Would have to second the website http://krebsonsecurity.com very informative, one point to note is if you see skimming device or notice any unusual device don’t use machine, don’t try to remove device yourself, the gang that installed it normally wait nearby to prevent people from removing their Skimmers and cameras mostly with a bit if force.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fussy Galore
    Favourite Fussy Galore
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 9:37 PM

    I was recently scammed by one of these CIE vending machines – I was charged €2.80 for a single journey from Tara street to Lansdowne. People need to be vigilant.

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ITS Student
    Favourite ITS Student
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 4:19 PM

    Anyone who uses a credit card nowadays must love paying €40 stamp duty even if they use their card just once. The best advice I can offer is for people to use cash instead of credit cards. Cash is quicker and easier.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute PunchUinFACE
    Favourite PunchUinFACE
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 4:36 PM

    i agree but i have awful problems sending cash down the internet, just won;t fit into the socket ;)

    241
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ITS Student
    Favourite ITS Student
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 4:50 PM

    Why not use a Debit Card instead?

    or Paypal?

    16
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute siobeli
    Favourite siobeli
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 4:56 PM

    Very smug suggestion!! So how do I access my cash if I’m paid into the bank if I don’t use a cash machine to get it, as work during banking hours?
    Why should people have to suit criminals?

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Noonan
    Favourite Declan Noonan
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 5:01 PM

    People do get mugged as well!

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bilbo Baggins
    Favourite Bilbo Baggins
    Report
    Nov 27th 2012, 3:00 AM

    Debit cards now cost per transaction with most banks so over the year they’ll work out a lot more expensive than a credit card.
    not all online retailers use PayPal your fairly stuck tryin to pay motor tax online with a hand full of coppers…

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donal Rafferty
    Favourite Donal Rafferty
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 4:10 PM

    Do you have to put your pin in those machines now? It’s been awhile but the last time I used one I just put my card in and out without putting in a PIN.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Redmond Scanlon
    Favourite Redmond Scanlon
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 4:51 PM

    Yeah you have to put your pin in now.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neil McAuley
    Favourite Neil McAuley
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 4:53 PM

    Donal I’m pretty certain that the system where u could enter a bank card without entering a PIN is no longer on place. I used do that also. Best way to avoid this scam is to book in advance ( to avail of a better fare) and enter the reference number that they email u or use cash.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute PunchUinFACE
    Favourite PunchUinFACE
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 5:02 PM

    siobeli,

    In fairness to ITS student, his comment is around the govt asking for a cashless society and then penalising people for this.

    My comment was an attempt at humour, i know i know, don’t give up the day job.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute fizi_water
    Favourite fizi_water
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 8:31 PM

    They can skimm my card what they want, there are usually only 3-4 days every month they would be able to take anything substantial from me (yes…after pay day lol). Any other day they might be welcomed with message “we are sorry there are no sufficient funds in your account to complete transaction, would you like to try another amount? “. See how smart way to cheat the cheaters :)

    But for all other minted people, why dont you get 2nd laser card just for carring around with small limit, separate to your main bank account with planty of money?

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mac Ready
    Favourite Mac Ready
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 6:32 PM

    Another scam currently doing the rounds certainly in Dublin city centre is where ATM user puts their card in enters their pin selects amount to withdraw card should come back out of card reader but appears to be stuck there is usually someone standing over your shoulder taking not of your PIN number and will advise u that the card has been eaten and you need to go into the branch when you move off they will remove the card trapping device and your card and clear your account

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Gobstock
    Favourite Johnny Gobstock
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 10:13 PM

    best tip to do there is ‘don’t move off”, just stand there and wait. do as it says on the warning sign, call the garda for assistance, just stand there and wait. that will make them sweat.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mick lennon
    Favourite mick lennon
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 10:47 PM

    Im blaming the bankers for this too

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lorraine Chambers
    Favourite Lorraine Chambers
    Report
    Nov 26th 2012, 6:07 PM

    Pay online from home and get a Leap card which can be used for the bus, train and Luas. One can top it up at most local shops.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bilbo Baggins
    Favourite Bilbo Baggins
    Report
    Nov 27th 2012, 3:03 AM

    If you live in Dublin….

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robin Pickering
    Favourite Robin Pickering
    Report
    Nov 27th 2012, 5:10 AM

    Talk about dumb criminals! Don’t they realise that after paying the cost of a trip on public transport, only a tiny few would have anything left to steal?

    5
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds