Dickson Presses Minister for Health on Vaccine Booster for Asthma Sufferers

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, has assured constituents that he is pressing the Minister for Health on the issue of booster vaccines for asthma sufferers.

Mr Dickson said: “Many asthma sufferers are rightly concerned that they are at greater risk from Covid-19. Whilst the majority will have been vaccinated in the clinically vulnerable category, with the colder season looming, questions around booster vaccines need to be answered sooner rather than later.

That is why I have been raising this issue with the Minister and will continue to do so until we have clarity.”

On the 28th June, Mr Dickson received a response letter from Mr Swann explaining that the vaccine programmes – including the booster programme – will be guided by advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). It is understood that the JCVI are considering the matter of vaccine boosters at present, and will be issuing advice in the near future.

Mr Dickson concluded by saying: “It is right that our approach continues to be led by medical expertise. We will know more when the JCVI publish their advice, but in the interim I will continue to press the department to ensure asthma sufferers are not forgotten.”