Vaccine questions Ep1: COVID-19 vaccine safety with Luke O’Neill, MRIA

Listen to Luke O'Neill, MRIA discuss the latest on the COVID-19 vaccine developments

The first COVID-19 vaccine on the island of Ireland was given to a nurse in Belfast on 8 December 2020, and with the European Medicines Agency due to make a decision on the Pfizer vaccine on Monday, the Government of Ireland has also said its Covid-19 vaccination programme could begin before the new year.

Speaking to host Dick Ahlstrom, immunologist Professor Luke O’Neill, MRIA explains why this is such exciting news and why it is such an amazing achievement for science. He responds to some general concerns that people may have around vaccination, explaining the scientific and regulatory process in involved in vaccine approval. And he answers some specific questions sent in by people about vaccination for them or their loved ones.

In this podcast series, science journalist Dick Ahlstrom chats with experts in public health, immunology, virology, bioethics, statistics and behavioural science, asking them everything you ever wanted to know about vaccines and vaccination.

This series is organised by the Life and Medical Sciences Committee  in partnership with the Health Research Board