Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2020
110. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the progress to date and the sectors involved in the planning of the distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42336/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to the timely implementation of a COVID-19 immunisation programme, as soon as one or more vaccines in the EU portfolio are approved for use. In this regard a High-Level Taskforce was established to support and oversee the development and implementation of the programme.
The Taskforce membership is made up of senior personnel from my Department, the Health Service Executive, the Health Products Regulatory Authority, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Office of Government Procurement, IDA Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of the Taoiseach, as well as expertise in the areas of public health, supply chain logistics, cold chain logistics, and programme management.
The Taskforce is supporting my Department and the HSE in developing national COVID-19 vaccination strategy and implementation plan which is due to be submitted by Friday, 11 December. I will then bring the plan to Government for consideration and subject to the outcome of this discussion, it is the intention that the Vaccination Strategy and Implementation Plan will be published.
