PEOPLE in the north cannot "pick and choose" which Covid vaccine they get, health minister Robin Swann has said.
Political leaders and medical chiefs last night sought to give reassurance about the safety of the AstraZeneca jab, as more countries joined the Republic in suspending its use.
As Germany, France, Italy and Spain paused roll-out amid concerns about a possible link with blood clots, Mr Swann insisted he would be guided by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
"They are very clear that members of the public should continue to come forward for their vaccination," he said.
"I want to take this opportunity to reassure everyone listening that the evidence as reviewed by the MHRA shows no correlation between the vaccine and the reported events of blood clots."
Chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride also insisted the vaccine was "safe and effective" as he received his jab yesterday, while the DUP and Sinn Féin made clear their support for its continued use.
The number of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines already administered is approaching 700,000, as the programme was extended yesterday to the 50-59 age group.
However, the roll-out is set to be increasingly reliant on AstraZeneca, with remaining stocks of the Pfizer jab retained for second doses.
The European Medicines Agency is expected to complete a safety review of issues relating to the jab later this week.
Mr Swann was asked yesterday by Green Party MLA Clare Bailey whether people who had concerns about the AstraZeneca jab could select a different type of vaccine.
"There's no opportunity to pick and choose vaccines within our current programme," the UUP minister said.
The decision to pause use of AstraZeneca in the Republic was prompted by reports from Norway of a small number of vaccinated people developing serious blood clots.
Irish government adviser Prof Karine Butler last night said it was "the right thing to do".
"It is about a slight deferral to make sure that we are doing the right thing, using appropriately and giving it to the right people."
Around 30,000 people were due to receive the vaccine in the Republic this week.
