SAGE ADVOCACY DISCUSSES THE LATEST HSE ADVICE ON THE COVID-19 VACCINE ON LMFM RADIO January 19, 2021

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Sarah Lennon, Executive Director of Sage Advocacy, joins LmFm's Michael Reade Show to discuss the Covid-19 vaccination programme in nursing homes and the latest advice from the HSE's chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry on "the potential benefit or otherwise of the vaccine for those who are extremely frail/and or approaching end of life".

Ms Lennon said the guidance from Dr Henry was focused around consent which she said was welcome and stressed how important it is that, as a society, we should never get to a point where arbitrary decisions are made based on age or frailty or an idea of quality of life which could lead to vaccinations not then being offered to an individual.

Ms Lennon said that the benefits of any treatment should always be discussed with the individual involved and that all details should be outlined to them but she said it was also important that people should not receive unnecessary treatment that might cause side effects or discomfort to them and which would ultimately not benefit the individual in question.

She said that Dr Henry's correspondence highlights that in relation to the Covid-19 vaccine and frail individuals he advises that the individual first and foremost must be involved in any decision but also family and other medical professionals should take part in discussions and decisions in relation to the vaccine.

Ms Lennon said Sage Advocacy knows through its work on the ground that there has been a high uptake in the vaccine but if anyone has any concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine they can contact Sage Advocacy.