If you have been offered an appointment to receive the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, please see below some useful information to help with your decision making:
You can read the information provided in these sources above, and for even more details, you can look at the information on the HSE Immunisations website here: HSE Immunisations Information Site
Your GP does not have any additional information to aid your decision making than the information that is available from the HSE. Medical evidence points to the benefits outweighing the risks of the AstraZeneca vaccine, including for those with a previous history of stroke, haemorrhage and clotting.
If you still have concerns about a history of blood clotting or haemorrhage, stroke etc. after you read the available vaccine information, you should discuss these with the person who is giving you the vaccine (your vaccinator).
Please note also that GPs have no role in vaccinating citizens aged 60-69. Vaccinations for these age groups will be provided in large/mass vaccination centres, and not in GP practices. People in these age groups are invited by the HSE to register online or by telephone (HSE Live: 1850 24 1850) to receive the Covid-19 vaccination. You can get the information for registration here: Register for Covid-19 vaccine
GPs do not have any alternative pathway for vaccination outside those set out by the HSE and government in the national rollout plan, and the HSE is not supplying GPs with vaccines for these age groups. If you are offered a particular type of vaccine for an appointment at a vaccination centre, you must consider the information provided by the HSE and by the vaccinator and decide if you wish to receive the vaccine. Medical evidence points to the benefits outweighing the risks of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
As you may be aware, we are still continuing clinics for vaccination of the Over 70s and these will be ongoing for several more weeks.