update-5859000_1920

Information for NCC patients regarding the Astra Zeneca COVID19 (Vaxevria) vaccine

COVID19 vaccines, including the AstraZeneca (Vaxrevia) vaccine, play an important role in containing this pandemic infection and in preventing COVID19 disease, which can be a severe condition with an increased risk of thrombosis. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has recommended that the Astra Zeneca (Vaxrevia) vaccine can be used as part of the vaccination programme in Ireland.

On 12th April 2021, NIAC updated recommendations relating to the AstraZeneca (Vaxrevia) vaccine:

– any authorised COVID19 vaccine can be given to people aged 60 years and older, including those with medical conditions with very high or high risk of severe COVID19 disease.

– For people aged less than 60 years, who are yet to start a vaccination schedule, an alternative COVID19 vaccine will be offered in preference to the AstraZeneca (Vaxrevia) vaccine.

– A second dose of the AstraZeneca (Vaxrevia) vaccine will not be given to people who develop unusual blood clots with low platelets

– If people have received a first dose of the AstraZeneca (Vaxrevia) vaccine

– where they are over 60 years or they have a very high risk or high risk medical condition, the second dose should be given 12 weeks later as scheduled.

– where they are under 60 years and without any at risk medical conditions, the second dose will be extended to 16 weeks to allow time to gather more evidence about the risk of this rare complication after the second dose (none reported to date) and to review evidence being gathered on using a different vaccine for the second dose.

Advice for people who are on anticoagulants or have a bleeding disorder and are due to receive any COVID19 vaccine is available on the patient information tab of the NCC website.