Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Questions (1301)

John Lahart

Question:

1301. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if his Department or bodies under its aegis have plans to introduce a national immunisation registry prior to the introduction of a mass immunisation programme for a potential Covid-19 vaccine; if there are views within his Department or public health officials on whether such a single national system for childhood and adult immunisation records will be required for effective monitoring of a mass immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33002/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE is currently working on a project to procure a National Immunisation Information System (NIIS), which will bring together all previous regional and national immunisation databases into one system and will be used to collect immunisation information in an integrated way across the life course. The availability of such a system will be an important element in planning for and implementing an immunisation programme for COVID-19, a task which has already commenced under the auspices of my Department, in conjunction with the HSE and other key public bodies. Decisions will be required in the course of the detailed national planning process as to whether a fully developed NIIS can be in place ahead of a national COVID immunisation programme or whether a satisfactory interim solution should be adopted.