NI respiratory consultant slams Republic of Ireland’s ‘reckless’ decision to suspend use of Astra Zeneca vaccine

On Sunday the southern Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, temporarily suspended use of the Astra Zeneca vaccine.

“This recommendation has been made following a report from the Norwegian Medicines Agency of four new reports of serious blood clotting events in adults after vaccination with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca,” he said.

No link to the vaccine has been proven, he said, but they are taking precautions until there is further information.

But NI respiratory consultant Dr Geoff Todd said he believes the Republic’ authorities are “very reckless” in suspending use of the vaccine”.

“There is zero evidence that the vaccine is connected to blood clots,” he said. “Blood clots occur at a certain level in the general population and there is no increase in the frequency in the Astra Zeneca vaccinated population. What has happened is that an individual has had a blood clot then looked to the nearest life event to blame it on. This is common. For example, any of my patients who developed asthma in later life would have blamed it on the previous week’s installation of central heating, or that holiday in Portugal or the wind coming from the north etc.

“This is completely understandable. What is not understandable is the Republic of Ireland’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer taking the same position. His action is reckless and will inevitably endanger the lives of thousands. There is no doubt his actions will be seized upon by anti-vaxxers to spread doubt and distrust. Thus encouraged by doctors who should know better, the same will probably now happen to the other vaccines.”

On Monday the republci’s Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly, said he hopes the 30,000 people due to receive the Astra Zeneca Covid-19 jab this week will have their vaccinations rescheduled in the next few weeks.

Use of the jab was suspended on Sunday as a precaution after reports of serious clotting in adults in Norway which left four people in hospital.

Speaking on RTE Radio 1’s Morning Ireland programme, Mr Donnelly said: “Hopefully the 30,000 for this week will be rescheduled very, very quickly.

“So will everybody be done within the time left in March? I’d say pretty close, possibly, maybe there may be a bit of spill over into into April, but very, very quickly.

“We should be able to reschedule then and in so doing not have to delay other people. So in other words, do the 30,000 at the same time as people who we were planning on doing in the coming weeks as well.”

The News Letter invited the Irish Department of Health to respond to Dr Todd’s comments, however it did not do so.

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