Clare Senator “Hopeful” Vaccine Timetable Can Remain On Track

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Hope has been expressed in Clare that the vast majority of the population can still be vaccinated before the end of June, despite the latest disruption.

The leaders of the three main parties met with the vaccine taskforce this morning ahead of a cabinet meeting to discuss the timetable for the rollout of the jab.

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The Health Minister says the Government and public health officials are working ‘flat out’ to try and keep the vaccine timetable on track.

The vaccine rollout has suffered a setback over concerns about rare blood clots with the Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca jabs.

It comes amid reports Denmark is to stop using AstraZeneca altogether while the EU won’t renew its contract with the company or Johnson and Johnson when supplies expire.

There are concerns the latest developments could delay the Government’s plans to have 80 per cent of adults vaccinated by June.

Minister Stephen Donnelly says they are considering delaying the weeks between the Pfizer jabs to keep things on track.

A member of the National Public Health Emergency Team isn’t optimistic though.

Dr Mary Favier, from the Irish College of GPs says the issues surrounding the Johnson and Johnson vaccine will have a “significant impact” on the country’s vaccination programme.

Ireland is due to get 605,000 doses of the one-shot injection before the end of June, while almost 41,000 were to arrive in April.

Dr Favier says a potentially “big chunk” has been taken out of the roll-out.

Despite this, Clare’s Fine Gael Senator remains hopeful that the vaccine programme can remain on schedule.

However, Ennistymon-based Senator Martin Conway, who’s his party’s Seanad Health Spokesperson, says we’re at the mercy of the vaccine supplies coming into the country.