AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine rollout suspended in Republic of Ireland over ‘blood clot concerns’

In a Tweet Minister for Health and Fianna Fáil TD for Wicklow, Stephen Donnelly said the decision was made after a recommendation from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).

He said: “The decision to temporarily suspend use of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine was based on new information from Norway that emerged late last night. This is a precautionary step. The National Immunisation Advisory Comm meets again this morning and we’ll provide an update after that.”

It followed reports from Norway of blood clots in a small number of adults who received the shot.

The Department of Health in NI have been asked if they are now taking any precautions - and a spokesman said they will be issuing a statement on their decision later today.

According to RTE more than 110,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been administered so far in Ireland, which is about 20% of all doses given to date.

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