Some of the EU's messaging around the AstraZeneca vaccine 'hasn't been particularly helpful', the Tánaiste has said.
Leo Varadkar says there's still "no doubt whatsoever that the benefits outweigh the risk manifold" when it comes to the COVID-19 jab.
He was speaking after the European Commission yesterday said it was particularly looking to mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna for future vaccine needs due to the experience so far.
Ursula von der Leyen didn't rule out contracts with other firms, but a Reuters report suggested the EU Commission will end its contracts with AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson once they expire.
Denmark, meanwhile, became the first country in Europe to stop using the AstraZeneca vaccine entirely over extremely rare cases of blood clotting in people who'd received the jab.
On The Pat Kenny Show, Leo Varadkar asked whether such messaging was helpful amid the continuing vaccine rollout here.
He said: “I can’t really speak for the European Commission on that. I do think some of the messaging that’s come out from the European Commission and some other European capitals - not from Ireland - particularly around AstraZeneca hasn’t been particularly helpful.
“These are really effective vaccines. It’s not helpful for any authority - whether it's in Brussels or any other European capital - to be downplaying the efficacy and safety of any vaccine, because they are safe."
He said any slowing down of the rollout means more people will get COVID-19.
However, the Tánaiste said we still need to find out what kind of vaccines people will need in the future.
He observed: “We think people will probably need booster vaccines in the winter - every winter... they’re more likely to be mRNA vaccine than viral vector vaccines.
“Who knows - we may yet find out the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines wear off quicker. We just don’t know these things. This is a new virus, and these are new vaccines.
“The best thing we can do at the moment is to take whatever vaccine we’re given, and do so knowing that the benefits outweigh the risks ten times over, if not more."
He reiterated that he'd still get the jab if he was offered it, but that it's currently people aged over 60 that are being prioritised.
Extending time between doses
Amid the ongoing issues around the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines, one idea that has been floated is to extend the gap between Pfizer vaccine doses so more adults can get their first dose in the coming months.
The Tánaiste said it's something that certainly will be considered as the vaccine programme expands.
However, he said we should stick to the plan and dates for people who've already received their first dose - adding that it could be 'very disruptive' to start changing their appointment dates.
The UK has been leaving a big gap between vaccine doses, but has also started a large-scale reopening of society.
Mr Varadkar suggested Ireland will look at how the situation plays out in the UK over the coming weeks before considering a similar approach here.
