NIAC recommends new recently approved Covid-19 vaccine for use in Ireland

A new Covid-19 vaccine recently approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has been recommended for use in Ireland. 

The Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine has been recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) in Ireland as the Autumn Winter Covid-19 booster. 

This new monovalent vaccine reportedly generates a "substantially improved" antibody response against certain Covid variants and offers greater protection. 

The advice comes as the HSE urges a number of Irish communities to get vaccinated against both Covid-19 and the flu for protection over the colder months. 

Their Autumn Winter vaccination programme gets underway today (Monday October 2) with the free vaccines being rolled out at participating GP clinics and pharmacies.  

The Covid-19 Autumn Winter booster vaccine is recommended for people aged 50 and over, while the flu vaccine is recommended for people aged 65 and over. 

Both vaccines are recommended for health and care workers, anyone who is pregnant or anyone who has a long term health condition. 

HSE National Immunisation Lead and Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Dr Lucy Jessop, said, "This winter both the flu and Covid-19 viruses are expected to circulate. It is very important that all those who are invited, get both their free Flu and Covid-19 booster vaccines.

"Flu and Covid-19 are caused by different viruses but both can cause serious illness. People should also be reassured that it is safe to receive both vaccines at the same time." 

According to the HSE, a new study by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has estimated that Covid-19 vaccination in Ireland prevented 87% of deaths and 81% of hospitalisations expected to occur in the absence of vaccination. 

Commenting on the research, HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry, said, "This research clearly shows that in the 15 months to March 2023, Covid-19 vaccines averted symptomatic and severe Covid-19 cases, preventing 16,000 deaths and over 100,000 hospitalisations. 

"It emphasises the importance of maintaining high population vaccination coverage, providing additional booster doses and protecting those most at risk. The study also highlights the significance of the vaccination programme in protecting our hospital capacity and averting hospitalisations and ICU admissions." 

The pneumococcal vaccine (PPV23) which protects against pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis is also available free of charge from participating GPs for people aged 65 and older.

The vaccine can be taken at the same time as the flu and Covid-19 vaccines. 

The children’s flu vaccine (a nasal spray) will launch on October 9 and will be available from participating GPs and pharmacists for children aged 2 to 12 years. 

An extension of this year’s programme will see the vaccine offered to children in Senior Infants and all children in Primary Age Special Schools this year.

To see what vaccines are recommended for you, visit hse.ie, call HSELive on 1800 700 700 or talk to a participating GP or pharmacist.