A member of NPHET, who is originally from Kerry, is urging people to be patient when waiting to hear from GPs regarding the cancellation of AstraZeneca vaccines.
Dr Mary Favier is originally from Listowel and is now based in Cork; she's a member of NPHET and a COVID advisor to the Irish College of General Practitioners.
She welcomes the decision to change the roll-out of the AstraZeneca vaccine, saying it's about safety.
Dr Favier says people need to wait for their GP to contact them to reschedule cancelled vaccine appointments.
She says the risk of these blood clots is associated with younger women, but adds it's very rare:
Meanwhile, Farranfore-based GP Dr Eamonn Shanahan, who is the honorary secretary and past chair of the Irish College of General Practioners, says the vaccines are less dangerous than the COVID-19 virus.
He says as alternative vaccines are available, it means the use of AstraZeneca can be restricted, adding these clots are a risk for younger women and appear to be an autoimmune reaction.
However, he says those who have a history of blood clots, are on blood thinners and are aged over 60, can still receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Dr Eamonn Shanahan says extra pre-cautions are being taken for such people:
