People taking one dose of Pfizer or Moderna will be offered one dose of AstraZeneca today

People who have received a single dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine will be offered a Pfizer or Moderna injection starting today.

Vaccines will be given at the HSE clinic for a dose in two clinics.

It came as another 1,751 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported, with 343 people hospitalized, 59 of whom are in intensive care.

It follows recent advice from the National Immunization Advisory Committee (Niac) that people who have refused a second dose of AstraZeneca or had a reaction to the first can get a Pfizer or Moderna shot to complete their vaccination course.

Dr Lucy Jessup, director of public health at the HSE National Immunization Office, said: “AstraZeneca is a two-dose vaccine and you need a second dose to receive the full vaccination. If you received your first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, you should get a second dose of the same vaccine.

Millions of people have been given two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. There is extensive research on the safety and efficacy of two doses of this vaccine.

“However, for a small number of people who did not receive a second dose of AstraZeneca, they now have the option of receiving a dose of the Covid-19 mRNA vaccine instead if it is suitable for them, which means they are fully vaccinated.

« The HSE advice is that it is safer to take a second dose and get a full vaccine than to remain only partially immune. »

People who wish to receive the mRNA vaccine after their first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine can attend the mRNA 2 dose vaccination clinic.

Most 2 dose clinics will offer Pfizer.

People can go to any clinic site without a dose of 2 mRNA as long as their vaccination is due and they have proof of their first dose such as their vaccination record card).

HSE said it doesn’t matter where the first dose is given – for example, through a GP, pharmacy, healthcare setting, or in another country.

The 2-mRNA vaccine should be given at least 28 days after receiving the first dose of AstraZeneca. People are fully vaccinated:

• 7 days after a dose of Pfizer / BioNTech

• 14 days after taking a dose of Moderna