Pharmacists should be allowed to vaccinate under 30s from next week

01 July 2021

Labour Party Leader and Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD has called for the Janssen vaccine to be made available through the pharmacy network to people under 30 from next week.

Deputy Kelly said:

“Following the recommendation by NIAC to allow people under the age of forty to receive the Janssen and AstraZeneca vaccines, the Government should allow pharmacists that have a supply of Jansen vaccines to distribute them to those under thirty.

“We will have a supply of over 900,000 single shot Janssen vaccines over the coming quarter, we should make it as easy as possible for young people to get this vaccine. Pharmacists across the country are willing to give this vaccine and many have leftover doses from initial deliveries.

“The way in which young workers have been discriminated against this week by NPHET and the Government is wrong. Ensuring that this cohort is vaccinated as soon as possible is imperative and will go a long way to building back up some goodwill.

“Those aged between 30-35 also need clarity as to when they will be able to register for their vaccine. The registration for people in their thirties was paused last week and there has been no announcement as to when it will continue. This group should continue to get the MRNA vaccine.

“It is time to end the uncertainty around vaccinating our young people. We know that we will have the vaccine supply, if we need to change the way in which people sign up to receive their vaccine in their local community from the pharmacist, then let’s work it out.

“No one should be left behind because of this virus, especially our young people who have borne the brunt of the economic cost of this crisis.”

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