"All rollout resources should be skewed towards getting unvaccinated children some degree of protection in the coming weeks."
This might help with the transmission of the new Omicron variant, says rofessor Paul Moynagh of Maynooth University.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Moynagh explains that he feels resources should now be directed at vaccinating the five to 12-year-old cohort – and that this should be prioritised ahead of boosting adults who are not at risk of serious illness because they have already received two doses of a vaccine.
The professor explains is would not be a case of competition for vaccines, as the vaccine for the five to 12-year-old cohort is slightly different to the adult version.
An updated vaccination plan for the five and older cohort is expected this week, alongside an updated booster programme.
“We’ve probably protected most of the vulnerable people, it was really important and it was the right thing to do with a targeted booster campaign initially to the most vulnerable and moving down the age groups," Moynagh says.
“When we get into the younger age groups, those groups, even if they get exposed to other variants, tend to not end up with serious illness. The best use of vaccines at the minute is to give them to people who have not been vaccinated. Primary school children, we know the incidence is very high and probably highest in that cohort."
The professor points out that who should be prioritised when it comes to vaccines depends on what you objective is.
"If it’s to reduce transmission then it would be good to use them [resources] in children. There are two different vaccines, the dose used for five to 12-year-olds is a lower dose, so it’s not a situation where you’re going to be competing for vaccines, but in terms of resources to roll them out, it’s probably better to focus on children."
