Vaccine programme to begin for Mayo kidney patients next week

The Irish Kidney Association has confirmed the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccines to its members will begin next Monday.

It follows a meeting held by the association's chief executive, Carol Moore, with the Department of Health's chief clinical officer, Dr. Colm Henry, and Professor Martin Cormican.

Vaccinations for Mayo people in the revised Group 4 category will have their vaccines organised by the dialysis unit at Mayo University Hospital.

Which vaccine?

At this stage, the vaccine being given is the Astra Zeneca.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) advised any of the approved vaccines are suitable for use for patients in this group and that the priority was to offer an effective vaccine as quickly as possible.

NIAC have also advised that it was preferable for kidney patients to get the mRNA vaccine if was available soon.

The reason for this was because NAIC considered that there was a better chance of a stronger immune response to the mRNA vaccine in kidney patients.

However, the HSE has looked into this and found that all the available deliveries of mRNA vaccine for the next few weeks are committed to the group of people aged 70 years and older.

It would take weeks before there was mRNA vaccine available for kidney patients and it is safer to go ahead as soon as possible with the AstraZeneca vaccine which is available next week.

The first research study of the AstraZeneca vaccine showed protection of about 60%, however, further studies showed higher protection (above 80% in the most recent study) and all of the vaccines provided excellent protection against severe disease

Second dose of vaccination

Patients will be contacted for the second vaccination, which will be due (per the manufacturer’s instructions) 12 weeks after the first dose is given.

The risk of being admitted to hospital with severe Covid-19 is reduced by 94%, 4 to 5 weeks after just one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.