Suspension of AstraZeneca vaccine shows 'system is working' - Kingston Mills

(Above) Professor Kingston Mills.

The decision to suspend using the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine due to concerns about possible side effects “shows the system is working” and should enhance public trust in the authorities.

That's according to the Mullingar native Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College Dublin. Speaking to Newstalk's Gavin O'Reilly, Professor Mills said that the government's decision to suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine following reports of serious blood clotting events in four adults in Norway was the “prudent thing to do”.

"I think it should enhance public trust in the authorities by pausing it if they thought there was any risks associated with it in my view.

"Then if it's found those events are not linked with the vaccine and that vaccination with the vaccine is resumed, it actually shows the system is working. I would say that's a positive rather than a negative."

Professor Mills also said that there is no reason why a person who has received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine couldn't be given a second dose of another vaccine.

"From a scientific perspective and speaking as an immunologist, there's actually a better response if you get a different vaccine the second time around."

Looking ahead, Prof Mills said that Ireland and the rest of the world is in a “really fantastic position” with a number of other vaccines set to be approved in the coming months.

"I think we just have to wait and see what comes from that but again I would agree with the decision of NIAC and the HSE to suspend things for now because we just need to get to the bottom of it and to keep up confidence in vaccinations in general.

"Remembering that we do have other vaccines, although the AstraZeneca has the advantage of being at 4C, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are still there, there's no suggestion of any of these side effects associated with them and there are other vaccines coming along soon.

"I think it's important to reassure the public. We're really in the fantastic position where potentially we could have six vaccines available, along with the current three in the next month or two. We are in a great position.

"The other thing to say is the risks of vaccination are relatively small compared with the risks of getting Covid-19 disease, which can kill and can leave long term serious consequences," he said.