AQW 25060/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health, given the link in the answer to AQW 24121/17-22 does not provide the specific reason for delaying the second dose to 16 and 17-year-olds and states that it is anticipated, to detail the specific medical grounds for delaying it now in Northern Ireland, especially given the re-opening of night clubs without mitigations.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 2 November 2021
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 2 November 2021
- Answer due by
- 17 November 2021
- Answered
- 18 November 202116 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The Member will be aware that JCVI updated it advice on second doses for 16 and 17 year olds on 15th November.
JCVI advises that young people aged 16 – 17-years who are not in an at-risk group should be offered a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccine. The second vaccine dose should be given 12 weeks or more following the first vaccine dose.
For persons who have had proven SARS-CoV-2 infection and a first dose of vaccine, the second vaccine dose should be given 12 weeks or more following the first vaccine dose, or 12 weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection, whichever is later.
My Department is working with Trusts to ensure those young people now eligible for a second vaccine can access their vaccination.