Covid-19 vaccine booster shots to be given to elderly people in Ireland

Those over 80 and those over 65 living in long-term residential care facilities will receive a booster shot.

Ireland has given the green light for Covid-19 vaccine booster shots to be administered to residents aged 65 years and older living in long-term residential care facilities and for those aged 80 years and older living in the community. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced the update to the country's Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, which follows recommendations made by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) to Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan. The CMO subsequently endorsed these recommendations, a statement from the government reads. NIAC recommended a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) for those in the two elderly cohorts, regardless of whether they previously received an mRNA or adeno-viral vector vaccine. The booster dose can be given after a minimum interval of six months following completion of the primary vaccination schedule. "In coming to their recommendations, NIAC considered the emerging evidence relating to decreasing immunity, vaccine effectiveness of a booster dose against the Delta variant of Covid-19 in protecting against serious disease including hospitalisations, ICU admissions and death, as well as safety data in respect of a booster dose," the Government statement reads. "Consideration was also given to global vaccine equity and upholding the principles of minimising harm, fairness and moral equality as outlined in the National Vaccine Allocation Framework." Donnelly said that vaccination remains Ireland's "pathway out of this pandemic" and that the update to the vaccine programme ensures the country will continue to prioritise "our most at-risk loved ones from the risks posed by Covid-19". "I am aware that operationalising these updates to our vaccination programme will take a short period of time. I will continue to work with my department, the HSE and the High-Level Task Force to implement these recommendations as safely and efficiently as possible," he added.