He said the priority right now is getting adults to come forward for their vaccine.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan has said that Ireland will look at the “potential value” for giving the Covid-19 vaccine to children after adults have been successfully vaccinated across the country.
Speaking to RTE News, he said that a number of vaccine companies are currently extending their license applications to children. He added that Ireland will explore the possibility of giving the jab to children once the adult population has received their vaccines.
“We do know that some of the vaccine companies are extending their license applications to cover children,” he said.
“We will be looking at that question about the potential value for us in moving on and when we get to the point that it is appropriate, bringing children into the vaccination programme, if we think that is the right thing to do.
“The thing is now to focus on people who are in the adult age group that have been called to come forward, if you’re one of those people now, come forward and get vaccinated.
“These are all good vaccines, the one that you’re offered is the right vaccine for you. Come forward and get your vaccine, it is really, really important.”
It comes as last week Canada became the first country to approve the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for kids age 12 and up.
The vaccine was also authorised in December for use in Canadians aged 16 and older.
Health Canada Chief Medical Advisor Supriya Sharma told a news conference on Wednesday: “This is the first vaccine authorised in Canada for the prevention of Covid-19 in children and marks a significant milestone in Canada’s fight against the pandemic.
“Having access to a safe and effective vaccine will help control the disease’s spread to their families and friends, some of whom may be at higher risk complications.”
Sharma added that the vaccination rollout will help children return to a “more normal life”.
“It’ll also support the return to a more normal life for our children who’ve had such a hard time over the past year,” she added.
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