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Original poster

Ireland AZ over 60s only.

317 replies

anyoldtime · 12/04/2021 18:21

It’s being reported that Ireland is going to give AZ to over 60s only. Expected announcement at 7.30pm this evening.

200K have already been vaccinated with it and while it was paused, it then resumed although they knew there were issues surrounding it when it was resumed.

I’m pleased they are being responsible but a bit late for the 200K already injected...,!

OP posts:
SilverGlitterBaubles · 12/04/2021 18:24

What happens to those people who had the 1st one?

kissmelittleass · 12/04/2021 18:30

This totally pisses me off no one seems to know what age group to give the AZ to!!
Particularly pissed of as my 18 year old medical student son here in Ireland has already had the first dose of the AZ vaccine so what now??

Tealightsandd · 12/04/2021 18:36

How's Ireland's supply doing? Any shortages and need to prioritise? Might explain the decision.

StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind · 12/04/2021 18:40

I really hope the UK doesn't do this, am 33 and would be delighted to have the AZ vaccine

Tealightsandd · 12/04/2021 18:45

Looks like Ireland's still on over 70s.
Smells like a severe vaccine shortage motivated decision to me.

PotterHead1985 · 12/04/2021 18:47

I got notification of this from RTE news... as I walked out of my first AZ injection!!!

Original poster
anyoldtime · 12/04/2021 18:48

How's Ireland's supply doing? Any shortages and need to prioritise? Might explain the decision.

Ireland will have an over supply of AZ and this decision will push back the vaccine rollout significantly.

It is the right decision. I don’t think there will be anything but relief tbh. I don’t know what will happen re those of us who have had the first dose. There are mutterings about giving an alternative vaccination but the trials have not concluded this is safe per EMA.

Pfizer was being given to the older population up until now. AZ was primarily being given to younger people who were not in the front line.

I’m sure the over 60s will not be happy to have AZ either.

OP posts:
Tealightsandd · 12/04/2021 18:50

They're clearly far behind us. Over 60s can't even book until 19 April... except that this change of policy will speed things up...

Original poster
anyoldtime · 12/04/2021 18:51

Smells like a severe vaccine shortage motivated decision to me.

The opposite in fact! Ireland will be left with an over supply of AZ as Pfizer was being given to over 70s and now AZ is only deemed suitable for 60-70 age group. It will delay the vaccine rollout out by months.

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kissmelittleass · 12/04/2021 18:52

Ireland's role out of the vaccine is a disgrace my uncle is 75 and still hadn't had the first dose couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery tbh

StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind · 12/04/2021 18:53

How is it the right decision?

Honestly this madness has to stop- I'm reporting this thread as being yet more nonsensical scaremongering.

Mumsnet you shouldn't be allowing threads like this to stay. Sick of it now.

Tealightsandd · 12/04/2021 18:54

If they haven't even started on over 60s, they clearly needed to speed things up in the older age groups. This decision frees AZ doses to speed up the so far very slow rollout. They're still on over 70s in many areas at the moment.

Original poster
anyoldtime · 12/04/2021 18:55

They're clearly far behind us. Over 60s can't even book until 19 April... except that this change of policy will speed things up

Ireland is behind the UK for sure. We paused for investigations pending too and foolishly resumed AZ temporarily injecting others in the interim.

You seem determined to believe it’s as a result of a supply issue. It isn’t.

OP posts:
StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind · 12/04/2021 18:57

You seem determined to believe it’s as a result of a supply issue. It isn’t.

Ok @anyoldtime, if it's not shortages, can you tell us why it is?

Tealightsandd · 12/04/2021 18:57

kissmelittleass post rather suggests that it is a supply/slow rollout decision.

StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind I agree.

GiveMeAllTheGin8 · 12/04/2021 18:59

What happens to ppl who have had it ?!!!
My Dh is 40 and he got the first dose ! Will he get the second ?!

Fizzgigg · 12/04/2021 19:01

It's so confusing for people. AZ was specifically NOT being given to over 60s in Ireland before. Now it's only being given to that age group. Such a.mess.

My parents in late 70s just got their first jab last Friday. Even then they turned up for morning appointment and we're told the vaccines 'hadn't arrived yet and to come back at the end of the day's. Total shambles.

Original poster
anyoldtime · 12/04/2021 19:04

Over 70s to date have Pfizer.
They then rolled out AZ to younger non frontline healthcare workers primarily.
They then paused AZ pending EMA guidelines.
It was then resumed but then pulled back and said vaccine rollout will be strictly by age only.
Today announced due to the risks of clotting it will be given to over 60s only.

They will now have an over supply of AZ and under supply of everything else.

Doctors on current affairs programmes today advised people are refusing AZ when they go for their vaccination anyway so maybe it won’t have as much of an impact anyway.

OP posts:
PuzzledObserver · 12/04/2021 19:05

What are infection/death rates like in Ireland? That is a significant factor in the age at which the risk/benefit analysis changes.

Here in the UK, we were seriously up shit creek in January. There were very few people for whom the risk from the AZ was higher than the risk of Covid. Even now, most people in the UK are far better off having it than not.

Tealightsandd · 12/04/2021 19:06

That's the whole point OP. If over 70s were only being given Pfizer, freeing up the AZ supply will help speed up the slow rollout to over 60s.

Schulte · 12/04/2021 19:07

‘Doctors on current affairs programmes today advised people are refusing AZ when they go for their vaccination anyway so maybe it won’t have as much of an impact anyway.’

This is interesting. They advised people to refuse the jab before the age limit was officially announced? Do you know why???

StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind · 12/04/2021 19:08

They will now have an over supply of AZ and under supply of everything else.

Yep. An oversupply of an incredibly safe, effective vaccine that passed all safety trials and that is safe in all age groups. Whilst people are still dying in far greater numbers of coronavirus, or having to suffer rolling lockdowns, economic disaster and a mental health crisis to keep deaths down.

Sounds a marvellous plan to me! Hmm

Honestly just give the vaccine to us in the UK then if you don't want it, would be delighted to have mine sooner.

MarshaBradyo · 12/04/2021 19:09

@anyoldtime

Smells like a severe vaccine shortage motivated decision to me.

The opposite in fact! Ireland will be left with an over supply of AZ as Pfizer was being given to over 70s and now AZ is only deemed suitable for 60-70 age group. It will delay the vaccine rollout out by months.

Does the delay not concern you?
Original poster
anyoldtime · 12/04/2021 19:10

I missed a comma Schulte! Drs on current affair progs, advised people were not accepting the AZ vaccination when they went for their appts. They said people walked out without it citing they preferred to wait for a different vaccine.

OP posts:
Original poster
anyoldtime · 12/04/2021 19:11

Does the delay not concern you?

No.
Another couple of months won’t make much difference.

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