Dad appeals for booster for teen daughter who is just months shy of being eligible for the shot

Louise Walsh

A worried father has told how he is terrified to bring his immunosuppressed teenage daughter for a walk in the fresh air all because she is just seven months too young to be eligible for the Covid-19 booster

Chris Herdman struggles to see why his fully vaccinated daughter Aideen (15) who suffers from a life-limiting condition can't get the Covid-19 booster which, at present, is only being offered to those over the age of 16.

The dad of four from Navan, Co. Meath fears that his daughter's vaccine may have waned since she received it last August, leaving her again in a more vulnerable position of catching the rampant virus.

"Aideen is a special case. She is a wheelchair user, is non-verbal and peg fed. She is on oxygen 24/7, has bad scoliosis and suffers from seizures," he said.

"She is being educated in the local HSE special care unit but I'm even afraid of my life to send her there.

"She got her two jabs last August and according to medics, the vaccine wanes and that's the reason for the boosters.

"So why leave the vulnerable out when rolling out the booster campaign.

"NIAC are urging parents to get the five to 11 year olds vaccinated now and are offering boosters for the over 16s.

"What about those aged between 12 and 16? Are they super human in that they don't need a booster?

"Doesn't seem like any common sense is given here. Even if they haven't decided on boosters for that age group - they should at least be ensuring the vulnerable and those with underlying health conditions are allowed to be as safe as can be through the booster.

"NIAC aren't giving a reason why they are ignoring this cohort of teenagers - especially those vulnerable .

"Hopefully they will see sense now in the coming few weeks and realise their error. My daughter is only seven months short of her 16th birthday in September - her health status is not going to magically change on that day."

"Everyone is partying because they have their freedoms back - we're not. We are still limiting our movements. We are here in limbo.

"I'm afraid to wheel Aideen to the shops, I even cross the road if I meet someone with her. I am fearful, I am frustrated and very annoyed at yet another decision that compromises the vulnerable and doesn't even make sense."

Parliamentary questions raised in the Dail on the issue of boosters in the last week by a number of TDs including Aontu leader Peadar Toibin received the following reply:

"The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.

"The NIAC has recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) be offered to those aged 16 years and older with the rollout now underway. The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines and will make further recommendations if required."

In recent days, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said that public health advice on the booster for that age group is expected in the coming weeks.

Deputy Peadar Toibin described the situation as an 'incredible situation."

"This cohort of people are some of the most vulnerable to Covid in society, yet they have been left most exposed to the dangers and many have spent the last two years isolated from friends and extended family because of the threat of the virus - affecting their social lives and mental health.

" I have been in contact with the Minister for Health for weeks trying to find out why the government will not provide a booster to these children.

"Tens of thousands of vaccines have been provided to 5 to 11 year old children despite the fact that this cohort are the least exposed to the damage of Covid. "

"There is a dangerous lack of common sense here and I reiterate my demand that the Minister provide boosters to immunosuppressed children now."