New updates to Ireland’s Covid-19 vaccination programme mean that pregnant women can now avail of an mRNA vaccine at any stage of their pregnancy.

Those who are over the age of 12 and are immunocompromised are also to receive a booster dose of the vaccine.

The chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, has endorsed these recommendations, which were made by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).

In April of this year, NIAC had recommended that pregnant women be offered mRNA Covid vaccines between 14 and 36 weeks’ gestation. However, NIAC has updated this recommendation based on the growing body of evidence in relation to the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines.

The evidence clearly indicates that the benefits of vaccination outweigh any known or potential risks of Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy. As a result, NIAC has recommended that pregnant women and adolescents from 12 years of age should be offered mRNA vaccines at any stage of pregnancy, following an individual benefit/risk discussion with their obstetric caregiver.

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, acknowledged that pregnant women and their partners may have questions about this update to the vaccination programme.

“I encourage anyone who has any concerns to engage with their obstetric care team and the many trusted sources of information available in order to make the best decision for you and your baby,” he commented.

Meanwhile, the updated advice also recommends an extended primary vaccination course with an mRNA vaccine for immunocompromised individuals aged 12 years and older, regardless of whether their initial vaccine was an mRNA or an adenoviral vector vaccine.

This third dose of an mRNA vaccine should be given a minimum of two months after the last dose of the primary vaccination schedule.

“Since the very beginning of this pandemic, we have worked to protect those most at high risk from severe illness and death. I hope that the opportunity to receive a third or booster dose of a Covid-19 vaccine brings comfort and reassurance to people that these vaccines are very safe and effective and offer protection from Covid-19,” Minister Donnelly said.

He added that as the country moves into this new stage of the pandemic, “it is more important than ever that all of those eligible for vaccination, but who remain unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, should initiate/complete their vaccination course”.

“Vaccination, along with our continued adherence to the public health advice we are all so familiar with, are the best ways we can protect ourselves, our loves ones and our country’s re-opening.”