NPHET have said that people may need to take booster vaccinations to stop the spread of Covid-19.
News broke this week that the UK have order coronavirus vaccinations for 2022.
This led to health experts questioning whether a Covid-19 vaccine is necessary annually.
According to NPHET - annual vaccinations might not be necessary.
However, the public health body have said that boosters may be needed due to new variants.
UK eyes COVID-19 booster in autumn, then annual vaccinations, says minister https://t.co/ghDKqXFqML pic.twitter.com/W38zvoLoen
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 7, 2021
There have been nine cases of the South African variant detected in Ireland so far.
Studies have shown the Oxford and AstraZeneca jab only offers limited protection against the strain.
Cillian de Gascun of NPHET says the vaccination campaign will need to respond as the virus changes.
This could come in the form of additional booster shots as new strains enter the country.
Speaking to Sky News, Dr Peter English of the BMA Medicine Committee said it's unsure whether an annual vaccine is needed.
"So much depends on what sort of effect the vaccine has."
Dr English said a lot of research has yet been done due to the quick turnaround of the vaccine.
"We just don't know how long the vaccines will last so you might have to revaccinate."
The 13-month study will compare different combinations of prime and booster doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines at intervals of four and 12 weeks. https://t.co/xzosP71gO5
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) February 4, 2021
