AQW 21150/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 29/06/2021
Answered On Date: 17/11/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what plans are being made to recognise the Novavax vaccine, used in trials, for the purposes of Vaccine Certification.

Answer:

The UK’s independent regulator of medicines and vaccines the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the appropriate body to determine whether, based on risk-benefit grounds, a vaccine is safe and effective to use and so grant a licence.

It is acknowledged that the participation of individuals in clinical trials of vaccines was critical to the response to Covid 19 and their contribution has benefitted our society enormously.

Following JCVI advice, arrangements have been made for Novavax trial participants who wish to do so to receive an approved vaccine at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Advice and counselling will be provided and approximately 100 trial participants have already come forward to avail of this service.