The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has said there is no change to advice around the use of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in light of reports of clotting issues in a small number of people who had received the jab.
In a statement NIAC said it is aware of the reports that some EU member states have suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine as a precautionary move.
It said that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has reviewed the available evidence and has stated that the benefits of this vaccine outweigh any potential risk and can continue to be used.
It also said that the EMA is carrying out further detailed assessments.
NIAC also said that the UK regulatory body, MRHA, has reviewed data following use of 11 million doses of this vaccine in Britain and also recommended no change to its use in the vaccination programme.
NIAC said it will continue to keep the situation under review.
Chair of NIAC Prof Karina Butler said: "The best vaccine to get is the one that you can get soonest. All vaccines are extremely effective in protecting against Covidrelated hospitalisation and severe disease."
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Minister says AstraZeneca commits to fixing issues but no dates for deliveries
Meanwhile, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said the issue around supply with the AstraZeneca vaccine is very frustrating and he said he spoke to the company about his concerns with supply last night.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said the AstraZeneca representative said the company was committed to the total volumes being delivered to Ireland but could not give dates.
Mr Donnelly said the company admitted to having "unanticipated problems" with supply chains and having a very significant manufacturing capacity.
"They admitted that they have had problems. What I emphasised last night was two issues.
"The first that we are very frustrated with the fact the volumes that we have agreed and were contracted for are not being met, and the volumes are constantly being revised down and causing a lot of problems in terms of logistics and a lot of anxiety among the public."
He said what is going on with AstraZeneca is not just frustrating for Ireland but is a global issue.
Mr Donnelly also spoke of the effects that the vaccination programmes has had to date.
"Last week, in a one-week period between week eight and nine for the target groups we have vaccinated so far, there has been a nearly 50% reduction in Covid cases. That is astonishingly good news".
But he added it increases the need to get the vaccines supplies into Ireland and critically on time.
He said that while the first three weeks of the over -85 vaccine roll-out had "some issues", the vast majority of the programme went well.
He admitted the issues such as delay on deliveries caused anxiety for patients and said the Health Service Executive is making changes to ensure improvements are made, such as a new call centre for GPs.
"Whilst there has been a focus on the parts of that three-week programme that didn't work, ultimately the target was to vaccinate 85s and older and the HSE is reporting 99% of that target was met."
Health Service Executive CEO Paul Reid said the HSE needs a "stronger level of predictability" about vaccine supply, particularly what Ireland will receive in the two weeks at the end this month,
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, he said the HSE has been in contact with Johnson & Johnson and a total of 600,000 doses is expected from the company across April, May and June.
Mr Reid also said the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine on over 70s should not impact on the speed of the rollout to the medically vulnerable, but will allow "a greater degree of flexibility" to the HSE.
Mr Reid described as "phenomenal" the benefits of vaccination on mortality rates and the level of infection among healthcare workers and over 600,000 people will be vaccinated by the end of this weekend.
Professor Butler has said that data is showing that the AstraZeneca vaccine can provide more long-lasting immunity if the second dose is delayed for over eight weeks.
Prof Butler said that data is showing over 70% efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine after 20 to 22 days and by extending the gap out to eight to 12 weeks there is a much better immune response.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is authorised for second doses after four to 12 weeks, but NIAC is recommending a first prime dose with a booster jab after eight to 12 weeks in the hope this will give more lasting immunity.
Prof Butler also said that elderly people who have been vaccinated need to continue to restrict exposure while there are high levels of the virus circulating in the community.
She said that while vaccines will reduce the risk of getting infected with Covid-19 by up to 90%, it does not fully eliminate risk.
