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The State must examine whether the period between the two required doses of the Covid-19 vaccine could be extended to speed up the launch, as is being done in the UK.
It comes amid ongoing concern over the rapid rise in the level of coronavirus infections across the state and fears over the knock-on impact on the health service. Another 1,754 Covid-19 cases were confirmed last night, but due to reporting delays, more than 9,000 new cases will be recorded in the coming days.
Professor Brian MacCraith, chair of the state’s Covid-19 task force, said the group had discussed the issue of increasing the gap between vaccine doses in recent days.
“Following our discussions, a formal request has been issued for [chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan] apply for [the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, NIAC] explore the topic and provide some guidance on it.
“Given that we want to be as ambitious and effective as possible, and given the backdrop of rapidly increasing numbers and our priority focus on the vulnerable in nursing homes and front-line healthcare workers, we have to consider all the options, ”he said.
Professor Karina Butler, President of CANI, said she was reaching out to her counterparts in Europe and the UK to seek more data, which would need to support any recommendations or guidance on the subject.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronan Glynn, in front of a graph indicating a sharp increase in positive Covid-19 test results, at a press conference at the Department of Health on New Years Eve. Photograph: Colin Keegan / Collins
“The current recommendations are based on the results of the trial in which two doses were scheduled 21 days apart. The question is whether that gap could be extended to 28 days, as used in Moderna’s trial, or even longer, possibly six or 12 weeks. ”He said any decision would depend on what the data indicates and would not“ fast-forward ”the process. .
If such action were taken, the vaccine could be reached more people more quickly. “As the UK has indicated it will, essentially in the short term one could double the number of people who receive the first dose,” said Professor MacCraith.
Regulatory approval
The UK move has drawn criticism, and any similar move from Ireland would need regulatory approval, Professor Butler said, adding that those who received their first dose would not be affected.
The state saw a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases in recent days and Health Service Executive Director Paul Reid yesterday described the virus as “rampant.” Last night, Dr. Holohan said, “Our healthcare system will not continue to cope with this level of shock.”
HSE Clinical Director Dr Colm Henry told The Irish Times that measures to control the virus were already affecting the hospital sector. “There are more than 400 beds out of service in recent days,” he said, due to infection prevention measures “related in many cases to Covid-19 and, secondly, the impossibility of beds for staff” because the staff has Covid-19 or is considered a close contact.
Government sources expressed the hope that the number of cases will stabilize and begin to decline in the coming days, saying that the full Level 5 measures should have a chance to work before further changes are considered. “We have to let that happen and see what the effect of that is, as we increase delivery of the vaccine,” said Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien.
However, other sources said that additional measures similar to those imposed in March, such as further reducing retail, schools and construction, could not be ruled out if the disease could not be controlled.
It comes after the government said the closure of the state’s preschool program will run until January 11, in line with the new date for schools to reopen. However, daycare centers can continue to operate as planned to provide childcare, especially to priority groups.
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